![Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan [Source: AFP and AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1785043831902_ViratKohli (6).jpg)
Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan [Source: AFP and AP]
Dashing Indian batter Ishan Kishan continued his sensational form as he played a match-winning knock of 81 runs to help India register their 2nd consecutive victory in the ongoing India tour of Zimbabwe 2026.
Notably, on Saturday, during 2nd T20I in Harare, Ishan Kishan surpassed Virat Kohli in a unique milestone. Batting first, India suffered an early setback as both openers were dismissed with 29 runs on the scoreboard. However, Kishan walked in at no 3 and steadied the innings.
After taking his time to settle, Kishan shifted gears and brought up his half-century in 31 balls. Although Kishan was dismissed in 18th over, he had already laid the perfect platform for a massive total. The left-hander hammered 9 fours and 2 sixes during his entertaining 44-ball 81.
Eventually, India rode on Ishan Kishan's explosive knock and Tilak Varma's all-round brilliance to defeat Zimbabwe by 90 runs and seal the T20I series.
Ishan Kishan Surpasses Virat Kohli In Most T20I Runs In A Calendar Year
With his brilliant 81-run innings against Zimbabwe, Ishan Kishan achieved another remarkable milestone. Notaly, Ishan surpassed Virat Kohli's tally for the most T20I runs in a calendar year by an Indian batter among Full Member nations.
It is worth mentioning that Virat Kohli had scored 781 runs in 20 innings during 2022 calendar year, including 1 century and 8 fifties. However, Ishan Kishan has now gone past that mark with 783 runs in 2026, moving to 7th place on the all-time list.
Most T20I Runs in a Calendar Year: (Full time Members)
- 1326 - Mohammad Rizwan (2021)
- 1164 - Suryakumar Yadav (2022)
- 996 - Mohammad Rizwan (2022)
- 939 - Babar Azam (2021)
- 936 - Brian Bennett (2025)
- 859 - Abhishek Sharma (2025)
- 783* - Ishan Kishan (2026)
- 781 - Virat Kohli (2022)
Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Breaks Historic Indian Record With Stunning 3/17 vs Zimbabwe
Ishan Kishan Eyes Suryakumar Yadav And Mohammad Rizwan's Records
Following another fine performance, Ishan Kishan now has a realistic opportunity to climb even higher on the all-time elite list. Notably, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter has been in exceptional form throughout the year.
Earlier, he enjoyed a memorable T20 World Cup campaign, scoring 317 runs in 9 innings and playing a key role in India's title-winning campaign.
Moreover, India have a packed T20I schedule for the remainder of the year. The Men in Blue are scheduled to play 13 more T20Is, including a five-match series against West Indies in October, another 5-match series against New Zealand later that month and a 3-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka.
As a result, Kishan will have plenty of opportunities to add to his tally. Notably, he currently needs 381 more runs to surpass Suryakumar Yadav's record of 1,164 runs in a calendar year.
Furthermore, he requires 543 more runs to overtake Mohammad Rizwan's all-time record of 1,326 runs, which the Pakistan star set in 2021.
Additionally, India are also expected to feature in Asian Games in September, and Ishan Kishan is part of the squad. Therefore, he is likely to get even more matches before the year ends.
Considering his outstanding form and India's T20I calendar, the stylish left-hander has a genuine chance of rewriting the record books and finishing the year with the most T20I runs ever scored in a calendar year by a batter from a Full Member nation.
Also Read: Ishan Kishan Reveals Plan To Protect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi From Social Media
.jpg?type=mq "Abhishek Sharma Scripts History")
