Ishan Kishan once again proved why he remains one of India’s most explosive white-ball cricketers, smashing a breathtaking 77 off 40 balls against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash at the R Premadasa Stadium. On a surface that wasn’t the easiest to bat on early, Kishan’s calculated aggression turned the game firmly in India’s favour.
Adding a touch of pop-culture crossover to the evening, Bengaluru-based rapper Hanumankind — who had electrified the crowd with a pre-match performance — later met Kishan after the match.
The official Instagram handle of the International Cricket Council shared a picture of the duo, captioning it: “Bas 19-20 ka farak hai! Two of the standout performers from Super Sunday in Colombo.” A reel followed, showing Hanumankind posing with Kishan in an India jersey before sharing a warm hug.
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“Well played my brother,” the rapper commented, while also posting the clip on his own Instagram Stories with the line: “Met the twin today. Got the win today.”
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Hanumankind Instagram story for Ishan Kishan 🤣❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/Kvu3N1zr18
— Ishan’s🤫🧘🧡 (@IshanWK32) February 16, 2026
On the field, Kishan’s innings was far more than just entertaining. It was impactful. His 77 became the second-highest score against spin at the venue in T20 World Cup history. Early on, Pakistan’s spinners tried to tie him down, and he looked watchful. But once set, he shifted gears seamlessly, targeting the off-side with authority — an area he later revealed he has worked on extensively.
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After the match, Kishan reflected on the magnitude of the contest. “An India vs Pakistan match is always special,” he said. “A win against Pakistan gives us tremendous confidence.”
He also admitted the pitch demanded patience. “If we could get to 160-170, that would be a good total,” he explained — a reading of the game that ultimately proved spot on.
