After the fifth T20I between India and the West Indies was abandoned due to rain in Bengaluru, former Indian batter turned commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Ishan Kishan for playing a stunning knock. He added that India wouldn’t have reached the total they posted, despite Naman Dhir’s explosive knock and Ishan’s ‘incredible’ innings as well. Kishan smashed 30 runs off 10 balls as India posted 118/5 in 7.4 overs in a rain-truncated nine-over game as well.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Chopra said, “It was an incredible knock because you had just entered and you had lost a wicket, and that was Abhishek Sharma’s, six and out. He is a short-statured dynamite batter. I feel his six-hitting ability is slightly underrated. He was the highest six-hitter in the IPL that the Mumbai Indians won in Dubai.”

“He has that ability, and he once again gave stage to that ability. It was a short but effective knock, which changed the course of the game. The match was abandoned, but that 30 was of great importance. That’s why you reached 118, or else you would have been close to 100 even after Naman Dhir’s amazing knock,” he further added.

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However, Aakash Chopra was also asked whether 2026 has been Ishan Kishan’s year.

“It wouldn’t have been logical if someone had told you in October (last year) that Ishan Kishan would play for India, win the World Cup, and then become the ODI vice-captain. It wasn’t possible at all. There is a 270-run knock in the Duleep Trophy in between that,” he added

“He has done everything and more. So you will have to admit that this is Ishan Kishan’s year. When the World Cup selection was happening, he didn’t have an outside chance. Then, after getting selected, the gloves were also with him by the first game. It’s praiseworthy for sure. He is a very, very improved cricketer. There is no doubt about that,” Chopra cocnluded.