New Delhi, Jan 24 (NationPress) Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has lauded Ishan Kishan's explosive performance following India's impressive win against New Zealand in the second T20I on Friday, allowing them to secure a 2-0 advantage in the five-match series.

The New Zealand legend believes Kishan's remarkable shots showcased his talent, and he narrowly missed out on a well-earned century.

“Ishan played extraordinarily well. He could have easily made a big hundred. His ability is well-known, especially after scoring a double hundred in ODIs. He possesses immense power, and he executes his shots rapidly,” Doull shared with Jio Star.

Doull emphasized the significance of Kishan’s aggressive innings, particularly after India lost early wickets, noting that his bold approach put New Zealand on the back foot and granted captain Suryakumar Yadav the chance to establish himself at the crease.

“When Abhishek didn’t provide a strong start, Ishan's response from two for six was to apply pressure on New Zealand. He transformed the game and allowed Surya to find his rhythm. At one point, Suryakumar was 11 off 11 balls. Ishan's performance enabled him to settle in,” he mentioned.

Doull highlighted several standout shots from Kishan’s innings of 73 runs. “A few shots were remarkable. The one off Ish Sodhi, where he advanced down the wicket and pulled the ball over mid-wicket, was an extraordinary shot,” he remarked.

“Overall, I thought he was simply fantastic. He has the capability to hit shots all around the field,” Doull added.

Shifting focus to India's batting depth, Doull pointed out the strength available throughout the lineup, even without some of the team's most explosive hitters getting a chance to bat.

“If we exclude Abhishek, who struggled in the match, Rinku and Hardik—two of the most formidable six-hitters—didn’t even get to play. India managed to out-hit opponents with players who typically aren’t known for such power. I thought India performed exceptionally well,” he noted.

Doull believed New Zealand squandered a vital opportunity early in the match, despite putting India at two for six.

“New Zealand had a golden opportunity at the beginning, being two for six with both openers dismissed; they should have capitalized better. I don’t think Mitchell Santner captained effectively that night. New Zealand simply didn’t post enough runs, and I’m not even sure 280 would have sufficed,” he commented.

Evaluating India's capabilities ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026, Doull stated that the current lineup seems perfectly suited for the shortest format.

“This squad looks different from what we witnessed in the ODIs. It seems to understand how to excel in this format. They’re enjoying their game. There’s a blend of experience and youth, showcasing pure aggression,” he remarked.

Doull also commended India’s relentless mentality, irrespective of match situations, which has propelled the team to significant victories.

“Throughout the batting order, the mantra is clear: 'We will keep coming at you. I don’t care if we’re two for six; we will keep advancing and intensifying our efforts.' We observed this in the first game as well,” he explained.

“They appear to be a team that Surya has molded into a great mindset currently. They play with confidence. They were laughing and joking as they left the field, exchanging pats on the back and rubs on the head—those are the signs of a team in a positive state of mind, fully aware of their capabilities,” Doull concluded.