Ishan Kishan Tops Elite Chart Despite Missing Century In IND Vs ZIM 2nd T20I

Ishan Kishan in action against Zimbabwe [Source: AP]

Ishan Kishan soared back into form with an electrifying half-century against Zimbabwe in the second T20I of the series. After hitting just one fifty in India’s entire seven-match European T20I tour, the blistering wicketkeeper-batter clubbed 81 runs off just 44 balls at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, July 25.

Through the course of his knock, the 28-year-old attained a major T20I landmark for Team India, going past even the likes of Sanju Samson and former captain MS Dhoni in a rare list. 

Ishan Kishan blazes past Sanju Samson, MS Dhoni for rare record

Batting at number three for India, Ishan Kishan bludgeoned 81 runs off just 44 balls against Zimbabwe in the second T20I of the series in Harare. The attacking left-handed batter launched nine boundaries and two sixes in his innings, and his fifty-plus partnerships with captain Shreyas Iyer and vice-captain Tilak Varma catapulted the ‘Men in Blue’ past the 200-run mark.

Also Read- Ishan Kishan Out? Players Who Can Be Removed From India's 2027 World Cup Plans

The 28-year-old now holds the record of notching up the highest individual score in a T20I match in Zimbabwe among all Indian wicketkeeper-batters. He surpassed the previous record set by Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa and MS Dhoni. 

Notably, Samson is the only other Indian wicketkeeper-batter to have scored a T20I half-century in Zimbabwe apart from Ishan Kishan. Here is a look at five of India’s highest individual scores by wicketkeepers in T20Is played in Zimbabwe.

Highest score by Indian wicketkeepers in T20I in Zimbabwe

Ishan Kishan hits welcome fifty after dismal England, Ireland tours

The Indian wicketkeeper-batter recently underwent a below-par T20I series in Ireland and England. In the two innings against Ireland in Belfast, the cricketer registered just 13 runs at an average of 6.50. 

In England, Ishan made only 122 runs in five innings at a forgettable average of 24.40, hitting just one half-century spanning seven matches of both tours. 

His latest half-century against Zimbabwe ended his lean run with the bat and reaffirmed his credentials as one of India's most destructive T20I batters, especially in light of his prolific run during India’s victorious 2026 ICC T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year.

India mounts 219 with Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma 50s

Getting invited to bat first, India lost both openers well inside the powerplay to slip to 29-2. Ishan at number three subsequently forged a 66-run third-wicket stand with Shreyas Iyer, before sharing another 94 runs with vice-captain Tilak Varma.

Tilak himself smeared 60* unbeaten runs off just 29 balls with five cracking boundaries and three huge sixes against Zimbabwe. Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube struck some crucial boundaries at the death to push the Indian total to a monumental 219-5 in 20 overs.

Team India took field in the match on a trail of a 1-0 lead following their win in the series opener.

Also Read- Why India, Zimbabwe Players Are Wearing Black Armbands In Today's 2nd T20I?