T20 World Cup 2026: 'Ishan Kishan’s game has evolved in the last two years' - Ex-cricketer after Team India star's heroics vs Pakistan

Former India A captain Priyank Panchal heaped praise on Ishan Kishan after the wicketkeeper-batter slammed a belligerent half-century in the high-voltage T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday, February 15.

Fans who have turned up to the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo witnessed a fantastic display of batting from the Indian star after his opening partner, Abhishek Sharma, was dismissed for a duck in the first over. Kishan took the attack to the Pakistani bowlers inside the powerplay, as he slammed a breathtaking half-century off just 27 balls.

Panchal said that Kishan's batting has evolved over the last couple of years, adding that he has different gears to his game at the moment. The former cricketer mentioned that Kishan knows when to go after the bowling and when to adopt more of a defensive approach.

Ishan Kishan’s game has seemed to become more evolved in the last two years. He now has different gears to his gameplay, something that was arguably lacking earlier. Knows when to pick his moments and when to take a step back. What a rediscovery before the World Cup.

Priyank Panchal@PKpanchal09

Ishan Kishan’s game has seemed to become more evolved in the last two years. He now has different gears to his gameplay, something that was arguably lacking earlier. Knows when to pick his moments and when to take a step back. What a rediscovery before the World Cup. #INDvsPAK

07:20 PM · Feb 15, 2026

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Kishan was eventually dismissed in the ninth over by spin-bowling all-rounder Saim Ayub. The 27-year-old amassed 77 off just 40 deliveries. He amassed 10 fours and three sixes during his electrifying innings, finishing with a staggering strike rate of 192.50.

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Pakistan managed to pull the run rate back considerably after Kishan's dismissal. Saim Ayub was the wrecker-in-chief, as he dismissed Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya in the 15th over. The onus will be on Suryakumar Yadav to help the Men in Blue finish with a flourish.