Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has stressed that India must address their middle-overs batting slowdown and better adapt to English conditions to secure victories, following a four-wicket loss to England in the second T20 International in Manchester on July 4, 2026. The defeat extended India's winless streak in T20Is to four matches, after earlier losses to Ireland and England.
Middle-overs slump costs India
India posted 190 runs, but their momentum stalled in the middle overs. After reaching 65 for 2 in the powerplay, the visitors managed only 32 runs between overs 7 and 10, dragging their total to 96 for 2 at the halfway mark. They also scored just 23 runs in four overs between overs 14 and 17. Kishan acknowledged the team's struggle against England's bowlers, who exploited the conditions better. "100%, I mean, obviously, they'll have the best choice of bowling, where to pick up, which bowler to put, which batsman to put. They understand the condition better than us," Kishan told reporters after the match.
Need for extra runs and adaptability
Kishan emphasized the importance of finding an extra 20 runs through boundaries or gap targeting. "But at the same time, we are all looking to improve. We are all looking to understand what these guys are doing against us because they have more idea ... every batter needs to understand, as a team, where we can get those extra 20 runs, whether it's by scoring boundaries or whether you have to target the gaps. So, these are a few things I feel we'll talk as a group, we'll understand, and we'll get better with time," he said.
Turning point: Free hits and Bethell's onslaught
The 17th over proved decisive as India spinner Ravi Bishnoi started with two no-balls, and England's Jacob Bethell smashed three towering sixes to finish 76 not out off 46 balls, ensuring the hosts chased down 191 with an over to spare. Kishan reflected on the impact: "We were always in a situation where, we thought we had the game. But getting those free hits made it easier for him to get relief, get the pressure out of him. I think we bowled pretty well. We had our plans, but at the same time, we have to give that credit to Bethell because he took his time, he was in the middle for a very long time and he understood, when to charge the ball and who to charge. We could have done better, maybe not just give him those free balls where he scored two sixes out of it. So, 12 runs and two balls without making any mistakes. It's a big thing in these T20 games because it's a very short format and we might not bowl those extra balls to him next time."
Mindset and team resilience
Kishan acknowledged that a losing streak affects mindset but stressed the team's maturity. "Yes, we did not win but I think we have been playing good cricket. The most important thing is how we realize in each of these games where we can get better. The best part is we are all together. We are all trying to improve. Not winning makes a huge difference in your mindset as well. But I think all of us are mature here who will understand what's going on and where we can get better as a group," he said.
Kishan's personal form and world number one ranking
Kishan recently became the world's number one T20I batter, replacing Abhishek Sharma. He attributed his success to focusing on skill improvement rather than results. "As a player, you just think about getting better every day. Everyone should have this mindset that, when they are not in the team, they prepare well, they do the best because at the end of the day, you have to come here and play for your country. You just look to perform and you just look to make your team win, whether it's with individual performance or whether it's with sharing experience with your team where we can go better. I know I have been scoring runs, been in that touch, but still it's a never-ending thing ... because there's always room for improvement. So, I just look to keep getting better and, not think about results so much. Maybe that mindset has helped me," he said.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut
At 15 years and 99 days, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became India's youngest international debutant, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record held for nearly 37 years. The teenager scored 14 off 10 balls, including two sixes. Kishan praised his talent: "He has been doing so well for the past two years and has made that difference in coming into the side... I feel when someone you know, you can realize how talented he is, what changes he can bring to the team and what x-factor he gets to himself. So, you just look to take care of him as a senior. There should not be any point of time where he goes into a different mindset. What he has been doing since two years is very difficult for any batter. But he has achieved that greatness at this point of time. So, we just look to be there with him..."
