Ishan Kishan Reflects on Adapting to Different Cricket Formats After T20I Victory

Ishan Kishan reflects on the challenges of switching between cricket formats after India's T20I victory over Afghanistan. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and personal growth in his performance. Kishan's insights reveal how he balances his role during partnerships and prepares for different formats, showcasing his impressive statistics and commitment to continuous improvement. Discover more about his approach and the match highlights in this engaging article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 14, 2026, 23:57 IST

Ishan Kishan's Insights on Format Transition

New Delhi, September 14: Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan shared his thoughts on the challenges of switching between the longest and shortest formats of cricket shortly after India's convincing victory over Afghanistan in the first T20I held in New Delhi.

Just days after leading East Zone to a Duleep Trophy title with a remarkable performance of 270 and 80, Kishan showcased his skills in T20 cricket, scoring a solid 42 runs off 33 balls. His partnership with the explosive Abhishek Sharma, who scored 82 runs off just 32 balls, was pivotal in achieving a comfortable target of 157 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Having recently played a demanding double century as captain, Kishan acknowledged the mental shift required for multi-format players. He emphasized the need to quickly adapt to different formats, noting that Indian players frequently transition between various formats in international and domestic cricket, including the IPL.

“As professionals, we must adapt swiftly to changes. This isn't our first experience with different formats. While it may take some time to adjust to T20 cricket, maintaining composure is essential to perform at our best,” Kishan stated in a video shared by the BCCI. His innings included five fours and a six, complementing Abhishek's aggressive batting style.

Kishan recognized that he played a more restrained role during the innings, allowing Abhishek to dominate the scoring. He mentioned that he would have taken on a more aggressive approach had Abhishek not been in such good form.

“I felt like I played an ODI innings today because Abhishek was hitting well. I wanted him to maintain his momentum without worrying about losing wickets at the other end. It’s all about teamwork and understanding roles,” he explained.

He also noted that while transitioning to T20 can be challenging, players must learn from their mistakes and strive for improvement in every match.

Currently, Ishan Kishan stands as the leading T20I run-scorer among Test-playing nations, amassing 854 runs in 24 innings at an average of 35.58 and a strike rate of 173.57, which includes a century and six fifties. In the broader T20 format, he ranks fourth this year with 1,456 runs in 39 matches, averaging 37.33 with a strike rate exceeding 177.

Kishan's preparation involves analyzing video footage of bowlers and discussing his game with friends to enhance his skills.

“I review videos of upcoming bowlers to strategize. It’s crucial to stay focused and calm, concentrating on watching the ball and executing my shots. Engaging in discussions with friends helps identify mistakes and fosters continuous improvement,” he concluded.

In the match, India chose to field first, restricting Afghanistan to 156/8, with Azmatullah Omarzai scoring a resilient 64*. Arshdeep Singh was outstanding with the ball, taking 3 wickets for just 19 runs. During the chase, the partnership between Abhishek and Ishan was instrumental, leading to a successful completion of the target in just 13.4 overs.