Ishan Kishan on format switches: 'Calm and teamwork key to T20 zone'
Synopsis
Ishan Kishan's 42 looked modest next to Abhishek Sharma's blazing 82, but his role-reading — deliberately holding back to preserve his partner's momentum — was the real story. His candid take on format-switching and informal team chats as preparation tools offers a rare window into how modern Indian cricketers mentally recalibrate between codes.
Key Takeaways
India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the T20I series opener at Arun Jaitley Stadium , New Delhi , on 14 September 2026 .
Ishan Kishan scored 42 and shared a 121-run partnership with Abhishek Sharma (82) to chase down 157 .
Kishan credited calmness and teamwork as the essentials for switching between international formats.
He revealed his preparation involves video analysis of opposing bowlers and informal discussions with teammates.
Kishan said he deliberately took a supporting role to protect Abhishek Sharma's momentum during their stand.
India's next T20I against Afghanistan is scheduled for Tuesday .
Ishan Kishan, India's wicketkeeper-batter, has credited calmness and teamwork as the twin pillars of successfully transitioning between international cricket formats, following India's seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the T20I series opener at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on 14 September 2026. Kishan contributed 42 runs in a crucial 121-run partnership with Abhishek Sharma, who blazed 82, as India chased down a target of 157.
On Adapting to Format Switches
Speaking in a video shared on bcci.tv, Kishan explained that the mental reset required to switch formats is something seasoned professionals must embrace repeatedly throughout their careers. 'As a professional, I think when it changes, we just have to adapt as soon as possible. We need to get into that zone again and again because this is not the first time we are doing this,' he said.
Kishan acknowledged that settling into T20 mode after extended stints in other formats takes time, but stressed that composure at the crease is non-negotiable. 'It takes a bit of time to get along with the game sometimes, but at the same time, you need to be just calm and composed in the middle so that you get the best out of yourself,' he added.
The Kishan-Abhishek Partnership Dynamic
Kishan offered candid insight into how he and Abhishek Sharma calibrate their roles within a partnership based on who is striking the ball better on any given day. 'I think I played an ODI innings because Abhishek was there, good in his shots, and he was playing well. I wanted Abhishek to have that momentum so that he can keep on going and not think about wickets falling from the other end,' Kishan explained.
He emphasised the fluid nature of this approach: 'Some days, if I feel like Abhishek is not in such great touch in the middle, maybe I'll take that role. So, this is something to do with teamwork.' The 121-run stand proved decisive in overhauling Afghanistan's total with relative comfort, underlining how the partnership's flexibility translated directly into a match-winning performance.
Off-Field Preparation: Video Analysis and Team Conversations
Beyond on-field execution, Kishan revealed that his preparation routine heavily involves studying opposition bowlers through video analysis, complemented by casual but productive discussions with teammates. 'I look at the videos of the bowlers who are coming to bowl, who is going to plan something. So, for that, you need to just be in a zone in your room,' he said.
He added that informal settings often yield the sharpest cricketing insights: 'Maybe when you are just sitting, you're chilling with your friends, you talk about your game, what changes I can make and what shots I can play.' Kishan noted that maintaining a ball-watching mindset — rather than fixating on target zones — is a habit he continuously reinforces. 'When you talk to your friends, you do know what sort of mistakes you're making, and you just keep on improving each and every day.'
Recovery Ahead of the Next Game
With India's next T20I against Afghanistan scheduled for Tuesday, Kishan kept his recovery plan refreshingly straightforward. 'I'm just going to rest. I won't do anything. I'll just have a good workout session before the next game and that's it. I think I'm not going to leave my bed for two days because, anyway, I'm too tired,' he said with characteristic candour.
The series opener's result sets a confident tone for India's T20I campaign, with Kishan and Abhishek Sharma's partnership providing a template for how the team intends to manage the batting depth and role flexibility going forward.
Point of View
Not instinct. Yet the broader question for India's team management is whether this role fluidity is a structured plan or improvised game-to-game. As the international calendar compresses formats ever closer together, the cognitive load on players switching codes mid-series is a genuine performance variable that selectors and coaches rarely address publicly — Kishan's candour here is the exception, not the norm.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ishan Kishan say about switching between cricket formats?
Ishan Kishan said that calmness and teamwork are the most important qualities when adapting to format switches in international cricket. He noted that while it takes time to get into the T20 zone, staying composed at the crease helps players get the best out of themselves.
How did India win the T20I series opener against Afghanistan?
India won by seven wickets, chasing down Afghanistan's total of 157 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. A 121-run partnership between Ishan Kishan (42) and Abhishek Sharma (82) was the centrepiece of the successful chase.
What was the Kishan-Abhishek Sharma partnership strategy?
Kishan explained that he deliberately adopted a supporting role to protect Abhishek Sharma's momentum, allowing the in-form batter to keep striking freely. He said the roles would reverse if Abhishek were struggling, describing it as a teamwork-based approach that shifts dynamically within an innings.
How does Ishan Kishan prepare for matches?
Kishan said his preparation involves watching videos of the bowlers he is likely to face and having informal conversations with teammates about his game, identifying mistakes and potential shot options. He stressed the importance of focusing on watching the ball rather than targeting specific areas of the ground.
What is Ishan Kishan's recovery plan before India's next T20I?
Kishan said he plans to rest completely and stay in bed before fitting in a workout session ahead of the next game. India's second T20I against Afghanistan is scheduled for Tuesday.
