Mohammad Kaif spots Virat Kohli-like quality in Ishan Kishan after Bengaluru T20I

Mohammad Kaif spots Virat Kohli-like quality in Ishan Kishan after Bengaluru T20I

Mohammad Kaif Praises Ishan Kishan’s Leg-Side Power After Explosive T20I Cameo

Ishan Kishan needed only 10 deliveries to make a major impression in India’s rain-shortened fifth T20I against the West Indies. His brisk innings in Bengaluru underlined the aggressive batting that has made him an increasingly influential presence in India’s T20 setup—and prompted former India batter Mohammad Kaif to highlight one of his most distinctive strengths: his ability to turn balls aimed at his body into powerful leg-side sixes.

Kaif compared the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter’s access to the leg side with a quality associated with Virat Kohli, while also pointing to the progress Kishan has made over the past two years. The praise comes as Kishan continues to build momentum following his return to international cricket, with his confidence and decision-making attracting attention alongside his natural power.

Kishan’s quick-fire innings in a rain-affected decider

The fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru was heavily affected by rain and reduced to a nine-over contest. Kishan made the most of his brief time at the crease, scoring 30 runs from just 10 balls. His innings included three fours and two sixes, helping India reach 118 for five in 7.4 overs before the weather brought the match to a halt.

With no further play possible, the game was abandoned and the five-match series finished 2-2, leaving India and the West Indies to share the trophy. Although the shortened match offered little time for a conventional innings to develop, Kishan’s rapid scoring provided a clear example of how quickly he can shift the tempo of a T20 contest.

In a format where a handful of deliveries can shape a team’s total, that ability matters. Kishan’s power is obvious, but his impact also comes from how decisively he responds to the ball’s line. When a bowler attacks his body, he can use his bat swing and wrist work to redirect the delivery into the leg-side boundary rather than simply defending or attempting a risky cross-batted shot.

Kaif sees a familiar quality in Kishan’s batting

Speaking on Cricbuzz after the series, Kaif singled out Kishan’s ability to access the leg side when deliveries are directed towards him. He noted that a ball which had troubled Abhishek Sharma was struck for six by Kishan, using the comparison to illustrate how differently the two batters approached a similar line.

Kaif said Kishan’s bat swing gives him “great access” when the ball is tight to his body, drawing a comparison with Virat Kohli’s ability to work deliveries into the leg side. His assessment was not simply about strength. It pointed to a combination of timing, balance and confidence: Kishan can make room for his hands, get the bat through the ball and generate enough power to clear the boundary.

That skill can complicate a bowler’s plans. A delivery aimed at the body is often intended to cramp a batter and limit their scoring options. But if Kishan can turn that line into a scoring opportunity, bowlers may be forced to adjust their length or move the ball away from him. Those changes can create new gaps elsewhere, giving the batter more ways to attack.

Kaif also stressed how much Kishan has developed over the last couple of years. In his view, the batter has become better equipped to recognise which balls he can attack and when to commit to a shot. That growing clarity is particularly valuable in T20 cricket, where hesitation can leave a batter caught between defence and attack.

Why Kaif believes Kishan is becoming a big-match player

Beyond the mechanics of his leg-side hitting, Kaif believes Kishan is developing the temperament to deliver in high-pressure games. He described the wicketkeeper-batter as a potential “big-match player,” suggesting that Kishan has shown a willingness to lift his performance when the stakes rise.

Kaif said he had observed Kishan raising his level in important fixtures, including significant matches at the 2026 T20 World Cup. His comments point to a quality coaches and selectors value: the capacity to contribute when a match carries extra pressure, rather than relying solely on performances in less demanding situations.

That reputation is built over time, and no single cameo can establish it on its own. Still, Kishan’s quick scoring in a series decider offered another encouraging sign. In a match with little room for a slow start, he attacked immediately and helped India post a competitive total before the rain intervened.

A comeback shaped by confidence and clearer decision-making

Kishan’s recent progress is especially notable given his absence from international cricket during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Since returning to the India setup in 2026, he has looked more assured, combining his natural aggression with improved control over his approach.

Kaif believes the change is not limited to technique. He has also noticed greater courage, sharper game awareness and a clearer understanding of how Kishan wants to bat. Those qualities can help a player make better choices under pressure—whether that means taking on a bowler, rotating the strike or waiting for a more favourable scoring option.

For India, a confident Kishan offers flexibility in the batting order. His left-handedness can alter the rhythm of an innings, while his wicketkeeping provides an additional option in team selection. If he continues to pair his boundary-hitting with sound judgment, he could become a valuable presence in both high-pressure T20 fixtures and longer international campaigns.

What Kishan’s form could mean for India’s T20 plans

The latest performance gives fans another reason to watch Kishan closely, but it also raises a familiar question: can he sustain this level across different conditions and bowling attacks? His leg-side power is a clear weapon, yet continued success will depend on how effectively he adapts when opponents change their plans—using wider lines, slower balls or varied lengths to limit his preferred scoring areas.

For now, Kaif’s prediction of an increasingly dangerous batter rests on more than one explosive innings. Kishan’s recent improvement in confidence and game awareness suggests he is learning to make his aggression more purposeful. If that development continues, his ability to punish balls directed at his body could become a defining feature of his T20 game—and a challenge India’s opponents will need to plan for.

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