Ishan Kishan produced a stunning rescue act in India’s Asian Games 2026 semifinal against Sri Lanka, smashing an unbeaten 80 to lift India to 169/7 and set a target of 170.Kishan walked in with India in trouble after Sri Lanka’s bowlers made regular inroads, but the left-hander changed the momentum with an attacking knock. He remained unbeaten on 80 off 46 balls, hitting four boundaries and five sixes.His innings was not only crucial for India’s total but also rewrote the record books.
Kishan surpasses Manish Pandey
Kishan’s unbeaten 80 became the highest individual score by an Indian batter batting at No.5 or lower in T20Is, surpassing Manish Pandey’s eight-year-old record of 79* against South Africa in Centurion in 2018.
Highest individual scores for India from No.5 or lower in T20Is
| Rank | Score | Batter | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80* | Ishan Kishan | Sri Lanka | Nisshin | 2026 |
| 2 | 79* | Manish Pandey | South Africa | Centurion | 2018 |
| 3 | 77* | Yuvraj Singh | Australia | Rajkot | 2013 |
| 4 | 71* | Hardik Pandya | Australia | Mohali | 2022 |
| 5 | 69* | Rinku Singh | Afghanistan | Bengaluru | 2024 |
| 6 | 68* | Rinku Singh | South Africa | Gqeberha | 2023 |
Sooryavanshi provides the early impetus
India’s innings began with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi providing the aggression at the top. The young opener smashed 38 off 21 balls, giving India a strong start before Sri Lanka began to claw their way back into the contest.Abhishek Sharma departed for seven, while Sanju Samson was dismissed for seven as well. Sooryavanshi then fell after an attacking 38, leaving India under pressure. Shreyas Iyer contributed 13 before being bowled by Wanuja Sahan, while Axar Patel and Tilak Varma also departed cheaply.With wickets tumbling around him, Kishan took responsibility and ensured India had a competitive total to defend. Kishan accelerated as the innings progressed, finding the boundary regularly and taking the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers.His unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, combined with the contributions around him, took India to 169/7 in 20 overs.For Sri Lanka, skipper Sahan Arachchige and Tharindu Ratnayake claimed two wickets each, while Wanuja Sahan, Nuwanidu Fernando and Lasith Croospulle picked up one apiece.
