Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has lavished praise on Ishan Kishan after the left-hander scored a blistering knock in India’s 93-run win against Namibia in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Thursday.

Kishan scored 61 runs off just 24 balls with the help of six fours and five sixes at a whirlwind strike rate of 254.17 to help India post 209 runs on the board. The left-hander took a bit of time to hit the ground running but soon changed his gears. The southpaw completed his fifty off just 20 balls as he batted at the top of his game.

Kishan smashed JJ Smit for 28 runs in the sixth over and gave all the momentum to India.

“You get only one chance, and you have to make it big. The USA match had already gone bad for you. You didn’t score runs. Of course, you scored runs against New Zealand, but runs weren’t scored in the previous World Cup either. When he came here after not scoring runs in the first match and Abhishek Sharma wasn’t there with him, I requested with folded hands that Ishan Kishan should score runs,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Kishan was given LBW by the on-field umpire but he had got an edge before the ball hit his pads.

“He got a chance as well, when he was given out. He reviewed it immediately, and I thanked DRS. It had hit the inside edge of the bat, and then he hit three consecutive sixes. He was brilliant. While he lasted, he was playing like a million dollars. I felt he would score a century. Ishan Kishan made the most of his opportunity this time and he had a massive contribution in taking India beyond 200,” he added.

The renowned commentator said Ishan Kishan walking into the Pakistan game with runs behind his back holds India in good stead.

“Ishan Kishan scoring runs was extremely necessary. If you score runs, we and you will get the confidence. We can actually walk into the game with a bit more authority. Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss that Abhishek Sharma