Ishan Kishan, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, made a remarkable impact in the fifth T20I against New Zealand at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. He scored a century in just 42 balls, marking his first T20I hundred. This performance broke Suryakumar Yadav’s previous record for the fastest T20I century against New Zealand, achieved in 49 balls in 2022.
Kishan is expected to open the batting for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, as the management is leaning away from Sanju Samson, especially after his five low scores in the series against New Zealand. A strong indication came during the rival’s chase when Kishan took the gloves instead of Samson.
Missing the fourth game due to a minor injury, Ishan returned to action after Samson was dismissed. He started cautiously but picked up pace after settling in, reaching his fifty in 28 balls and then quickly doubled it in just 14 more, finishing with a hundred off 42 balls, including ten sixes and six fours.
Kishan’s 42-ball century against New Zealand is now the fifth fastest T20I hundred for India. Ahead of him are Rohit Sharma (35 balls), Abhishek Sharma (37 balls), Sanju Samson (40 balls), and Tilak Varma (42 balls).
Indian players with fastest T20I hundreds
