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From Double Century Heroics to Afghanistan Masterclass: The 3 ODI Innings That Define Ishan Kishan’s Rise
After a stunning return to India’s white-ball setup, Ishan Kishan is once again making headlines. Here’s a look at the three ODI knocks that showcased his fearless batting and immense potential.
Few comeback stories in Indian cricket have been as impressive in recent years as that of Ishan Kishan. After battling inconsistency and fierce competition for places, the explosive wicketkeeper-batter has forced his way back into the national setup with a series of outstanding performances.
The left-handed star played a key role in guiding Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title before becoming an important member of India’s victorious campaign at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
His recent success has also helped him move ahead of Rishabh Pant in India’s ODI pecking order, with Kishan currently serving as the backup wicketkeeper behind KL Rahul.
As his reputation continues to grow, several innings stand out as defining moments in his one-day international career. Here are the three best ODI knocks played by Ishan Kishan so far.
3. 125 vs Afghanistan (2026): A Century Filled With Authority
When India faced Afghanistan in 2026, Kishan produced one of the most commanding innings of his ODI career.
Batting on a surface that offered challenges for stroke-makers, the aggressive opener launched a calculated counterattack, scoring a magnificent 125 runs from just 79 deliveries. His innings came at an extraordinary strike rate of 158.22 and showcased his ability to dominate bowlers under pressure.
One of the highlights of the knock was his massive 224-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill. Kishan’s strong leg-side play was on full display as he accumulated the majority of his runs in that region, including five towering sixes.
By the time Nangeyalia Kharote dismissed him in the 37th over, India had already crossed the 320-run mark, putting the opposition completely out of the contest.
2. 93 vs South Africa (2022): The Ranchi Special
Not every great innings needs to be a century.
Kishan’s match-winning 93 against South Africa in Ranchi remains one of the finest examples of controlled aggression in his career.
India were chasing a challenging target of 279 after captain Shikhar Dhawan fell early. Walking in under pressure, Kishan immediately shifted momentum in India’s favour.
The stylish left-hander smashed 93 off 84 balls, striking four boundaries and seven sixes. More importantly, he built a match-defining 161-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who later completed an unbeaten century.
Although Kishan fell seven runs short of a deserved hundred, his fearless approach laid the foundation for India’s comfortable seven-wicket victory and earned widespread praise from cricket experts.
1. 210 vs Bangladesh (2022): The Knock That Rewrote History
At the top of the list sits an innings that transformed Ishan Kishan from a promising talent into a record-breaking star.
Against Bangladesh in Chattogram, Kishan produced one of the greatest ODI innings ever played by an Indian batter.
Opening the innings alongside Dhawan, who departed for just three runs, Kishan took complete control of the contest. He hammered an astonishing 210 runs from only 131 deliveries, scoring at a strike rate above 160.
His breathtaking innings included 24 fours and 10 sixes, leaving bowlers with no answers. The knock made him only the fourth Indian player after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma to score a double century in ODI cricket.
The achievement became even more remarkable because Kishan converted his maiden ODI century directly into a double century — a feat never previously accomplished in the format.
On a day when even a century from Virat Kohli could not steal the spotlight, Kishan emerged as the undisputed star of the show.
A Career Entering a New Chapter
With renewed confidence, improved consistency and a growing list of memorable performances, Ishan Kishan appears ready to play a major role in India’s future across white-ball cricket.
His recent return to the national team suggests that the best may still be ahead. If these three innings are any indication, Indian cricket fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about what comes next.
