Ishan Kishan may not have responded directly to the question posed before the fifth T20I in Thiruvananthapuram, but his answer offered a revealing glimpse into how he thinks about batting. Asked about who he turns to for feedback, Kishan instead spoke about the kind of batter he admires and wants to emulate. In doing so, he highlighted a very specific area of self-improvement: controlling left-arm spin with authority and consistency.
That clarity of thought was evident once he walked out to bat. After missing the previous game due to a minor fitness concern, Kishan entered early following another short stay from Sanju Samson. From the outset, he looked settled, unfazed by movement on offer for the seamers. Even well-disguised changes of pace were handled with assurance, as he quickly imposed himself on New Zealand’s attack.
The real examination came when the opposition turned to spin. Mitchell Santner, known for his control and subtle variations, initially managed to slow Kishan down by bowling flatter and wider. But Kishan adjusted swiftly. By advancing down the pitch and changing his angles, he forced Santner to alter his lengths, and once that happened, the momentum swung decisively.
Against legspin too, Kishan showed both awareness and intent. When Ish Sodhi tried to counter him with altered trajectories, Kishan stayed proactive, using the depth of the crease and clean striking to turn a quiet phase into a decisive over. Boundaries flowed without recklessness, underlining improved shot selection rather than blind aggression.
Even when fortune smiled briefly with a dropped catch, Kishan did not retreat into safety. He continued to attack, particularly against the left-arm spinner, refusing to let the occasion dictate caution. Reaching his milestone with a shot that reflected confidence rather than relief summed up the innings.
What stood out most was not just the volume of runs, but the method. Kishan did not merely survive spin; he controlled it. That evolution, driven by self-reflection and clear intent, suggests a batter steadily refining his game at the highest level.
