India delivered a commanding all-round performance to overpower New Zealand by 46 runs in the final T20I in Thiruvananthapuram, clinching the five-match series 4–1 and sending a strong message ahead of the upcoming T20I World Cup. Ishan Kishan slammed a sensational maiden T20I century. Opening the innings, Kishan played a breathtaking knock of 103 from just 43 deliveries to help India pile on 271/8 in 20 overs. Moreover, India's mighty batting depth was on full display as captain Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya provided valuable support.
Suryakumar struck a fluent 63, while Pandya added a brisk 42 to maintain the scoring momentum. Following India's dominant win, Suryakumar Yadav, who will lead India in a global tournament for the first time, expressed his happiness over the team's performance.
"Obviously feeling happy; it’s always good to get runs when you’re leading a side. You always want to lead by example," Suryakumar said at the press conference.
"And I think in 2025 it was the same, Surya. I was just out of runs but feeling really good, in a good mental space, and very happy with what’s happening around the team."
Yadav underlined that there is always something to learn even if you win.
"As a team, things have been going really well for us. But, as I always say, when we win, we also try and learn something from it and try and improve in the next game or in the next series in which we play."
"But these five games were good prep before we start our World Cup campaign and me and the boys are very excited for the World Cup."
Suryakumar Yadav also lauded Ishan Kishan's splendid batting, with whom he stitched a 137-run partnership.
"I think we always knew what Ishan Kishan brings to the table. We have seen how he played in the domestic cricket just before this series. We always wanted him to bat the same way, not change his identity, irrespective of if he’s opening (or not). But we wanted him to be a game-changer, and whenever he took the field, or with the bat, the way he batted in all the games, I think he’s given a strong statement, and I really enjoyed batting with him and also with Abhishek Sharma since game one."
"Both of them, together, completely take the opposition out of it, and the pressure is less on the middle order and the finishers," he said.