India’s in-form batter Ishan Kishan said he doesn’t focus on what’s happening on the outside. Kishan said they put the thoughts of posting 250 runs on the board on the backburner and wanted to build a partnership after India lost early wickets in the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Kishan continued his rich form in 2026, as he scored a brilliant knock of 81 runs off just 44 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes.
Varma, on the other hand, has been under scrutiny for his low strike rate in the recent past but answered his critics in style. The southpaw scored a majestic knock of 60 runs off just 29 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes.
The left-handed duo added 94 runs off 43 balls for the fourth wicket and played a key role in helping India post 219 runs on the board.
“As a batter who’s batting at No. 3, your job is to watch the ball and play your natural game. You also have to understand the wicket,” Kishan said after being named Player of the Match.
“There were a lot of thoughts going on whether we wanted to end up getting 250 or 230, or whether the wicket was just about getting 170 to 180 runs. So we had that in mind when Shreyas Iyer came in. We wanted to build a partnership and take the innings deep. I think we executed it in a very good manner.”
Kishan said he is clear the way he wants to bat and he tries to keep the outside noise at bay after India registered a 90-run win.
“I don’t give so much focus on what’s happening outside,” he said. “I know the way I have to play. What’s important is to just be in the moment, not think about what’s going on in the outside world, who is getting more, thinking about that this guy is hitting more. Everyone can have that image in the team. But at the same time, as a No. 3 batter, if two wickets are down, you need to understand what’s important. Do you keep taking chances or do you build a partnership? Is it easy to hit? You need to understand the wicket and play accordingly.”
The third and final T20I between India and Zimbabwe will take place at Harare on Sunday.
