Raipur, Jan 23 (NationPress) After delivering a match-winning performance with a score of 76 runs off just 32 balls, Player of the Match Ishan Kishan emphasized the role of his domestic cricket achievements in overcoming personal doubts, re-establishing confidence, and maintaining momentum heading into the international platform during the second T20I against New Zealand in Raipur on Friday.

India successfully pursued a target of 209, securing victory by seven wickets with 28 balls to spare, marking the second-highest successful chase in India’s T20I history. This impressive win is also noted as the largest margin by balls remaining for a full member nation when chasing over 200 runs, surpassing Pakistan's 24-ball victory over New Zealand in Auckland in 2025, alongside Australia’s 23-ball win against the West Indies in Basseterre that same year.

Kishan elaborated that successfully chasing a substantial target necessitates composed decision-making, highlighting the significance of closely observing the ball, steering clear of unwarranted risks, and capitalizing on the powerplay.

"I concentrated more on what I needed to do and aimed to maintain a positive mindset for this game. At times, even when you are batting well, it's crucial to be in a good mental space. I focused on watching the ball and executing quality shots. We aimed to avoid risks and never play cross-batted shots. When chasing more than 200 runs, it’s essential to accumulate runs in the powerplay as well," Kishan stated post-match.

Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav formed a formidable partnership, scoring 122 runs in just 48 balls for the third wicket, transforming what initially seemed like a challenging chase into a comfortable victory. Kishan inflicted considerable damage early with his aggressive batting, reaching 76 runs from 32 balls—including a rapid fifty off just 21 balls—before being dismissed while attempting to hit Ish Sodhi for a catch off his own bowling. By that stage, the damage was already done.

"It depends on how you are batting. I felt good in the middle. I had faith in my abilities and felt that if I connected with good shots, I could make it happen for the team," he remarked.

His explosive innings of 76 follows a successful domestic season in 2025. During the SMAT tournament, Kishan excelled, amassing 517 runs and playing a crucial role in the final against Haryana, where he scored a stunning century off just 45 balls. This achievement made him the second player to score a century in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, marking the third-fastest century in a men's T20 final. With five centuries in the tournament, he now shares the record for the most hundreds in SMAT history alongside Abhishek Sharma.

Additionally, he recorded the second-fastest century by an Indian in List A cricket, falling just one ball short of the national record set earlier that day by Bihar's captain Sakibul Gani, who reached the milestone in 32 deliveries against Arunachal Pradesh.

"I can't comment about records. Honestly, I was just focused on scoring runs. Sometimes, it is crucial to do it for oneself. This way, you can resolve your doubts about your batting capabilities. If you believe you can play for India, it becomes vital to score runs in domestic cricket. The positive aspect is that we also clinched the trophy. Batting here, I carried that confidence with me. It was a remarkable day for me," he reflected.

Reflecting on his journey, Kishan shared a moment of self-affirmation, stating he trusted his capability to bat through the innings and produce impactful performances, needing only runs to validate that belief.

"I simply asked myself one question: Can I do it again or not? I had a clear answer in my mind. I believe I can bat throughout the innings and play quality shots. I just needed to accumulate runs to confirm my abilities. I focused on scoring runs and aimed to play well, even if I got out," he concluded.