Ishan Kishan created history during India's fifth T20I against New Zealand, becoming the Indian batter with the most runs in the format in a calendar year. The left-hander needed just six runs to go past Suryakumar Yadav's previous record of 1,164 runs, and reached the landmark with his fourth delivery.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bowl in the final match of the five-game series at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday, November 1. The visitors had the first opportunity to bat in the series. Both teams also made changes to their playing XIs for the series finale.

Ishan Kishan Surpasses Suryakumar Yadav's Record for Most T20I Runs in a Calendar Year

Ishan Kishan needed only six runs at the start of his innings to move past Suryakumar's 2022 tally. Suryakumar held the previous record after scoring 1,164 runs in 31 matches in 2022, while Abhishek Sharma is also among the leading Indian run-scorers in a calendar year, with 1,153 runs in 2026.

Most runs for India in a calendar year in T20Is:

Most T20I runs for India in 2026:

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India Recover from Early Setbacks to Post 50/2 in Powerplay

New Zealand made an early breakthrough after opting to bowl, dismissing both Indian openers inside the first four overs. Abhishek Sharma fell cheaply off Adam Milne. Sanju Samson perished for four off 10 balls, leaving India at 19/2 after 3.1 overs.

Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer then counter-attacked to rebuild the innings and lift the scoring rate. The pair put pressure back on the New Zealand bowlers, helping India recover from the early setbacks.

The fifth over proved costly for New Zealand as Iyer and Kishan took 16 runs off Nathan Smith. Blair Tickner conceded another 13 in the sixth over, including a six from Kishan off the first delivery. India finished the powerplay at 50/2, scoring at 8.33 runs per over.

Ishan Kishan's Performance in T20I Series

Ishan Kishan managed just one run across his two innings in the first four T20Is against New Zealand, with a groin injury disrupting his campaign. The wicketkeeper-batter missed the second and third matches before returning for the fourth T20I in Auckland, where he was dismissed for a duck.

Kishan suffered a low-grade right adductor strain while fielding during the series opener at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22. He scored only one run before being dismissed.

The injury ruled him out of the second and third T20Is, played on October 24 and 27. He underwent rehabilitation with the medical team during his absence, while batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replaced him in the playing XI.

After completing his recovery and clearing precautionary fitness tests, Kishan returned for the fourth T20I at Eden Park in Auckland on October 30. However, he failed to make an impact, scoring a duck in India's 87-run defeat.