Thiruvananthapuram Witnesses Kishan's Record-Breaking Innings as Samson Falters Again
The fifth and final T20I between India and New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram turned into a tale of contrasting fortunes for two Indian wicketkeeper-batters. While Sanju Samson, playing on his home ground, continued to struggle with a meager six runs, Ishan Kishan stole the show with a spectacular century that rewrote record books.
Samson's Lean Patch Extends Amid Home Crowd Expectations
All eyes were on Sanju Samson as he walked out to bat, with local fans hoping he would break his poor run of form on familiar turf. However, the opener failed to deliver once again, managing just six runs before his dismissal. This performance capped a disappointing series for Samson, who featured in all five matches but accumulated only 46 runs total.
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed concern about Samson's form during his commentary. "I think the selection committee was quite forthright, giving Sanju Samson all the opportunities. But now, with Ishan Kishan's innings here and Tilak Varma likely to return, the batting order looks definite," Gavaskar noted on Star Sports.
Kishan's Historic Century Powers India to Mammoth Total
After India lost both openers early at 48 for 2, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav launched a breathtaking counter-attack. The pair added 137 runs off just 57 balls - the second-highest partnership for any wicket for India against New Zealand in T20Is.
Kishan's innings was particularly remarkable:
- Reached his fifty in just 28 balls
- Completed his next fifty in only 14 deliveries
- Scored his century off 42 balls - the fastest hundred against New Zealand
- This became the fifth fastest T20I century for India overall
- The innings ranks as the seventh-fastest T20 century globally
Suryakumar Yadav provided excellent support with a 50 off 26 balls before being stumped off Mitchell Santner in the 15th over. Kishan then combined with Hardik Pandya for a quickfire 48-run partnership off 18 balls, with Pandya smashing four sixes and a boundary as India surged past 250 in the 19th over.
World Cup Selection Dilemma Intensifies
With the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, Gavaskar raised serious questions about Samson's place in the playing XI. "It is really difficult to drop him. And dropping him for whom? Tilak Varma is a proven performer at this level. Sanju Samson is also a proven performer, but he is not in form," the former captain explained.
Gavaskar emphasized the tournament context: "In a tournament like the World Cup, you can't take chances. This is the reason I think that after giving him five matches - I think his highest score is 24 - and he has got out in odd manners, he is definitely short on confidence. Unless Tilak Varma is not fit, I don't see him being part of the XI on February 7."
Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan wrapped up the series with 215 runs, including a century and a fifty, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer behind Suryakumar Yadav. His explosive form presents selectors with a pleasant headache as they finalize India's T20 World Cup squad.
The comprehensive victory gave India the T20I series win, with Kishan's historic century serving as the defining moment of the final match. As the team prepares for global tournaments, the contrasting performances of these two wicketkeeper-batters have sparked intense debate about India's ideal batting combination for high-stakes matches.
