One of the biggest stories over the past few months has been Ishan Kishan’s return to the Indian team. Considered a wildcard ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad selection after his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy heroics, the Jharkhand wicketkeeper seized his opportunity following Tilak Varma's injury during the New Zealand T20I series — and there has been no looking back since.

In six matches, Kishan has scored 296 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 222.55, including a century and two fifties. But before these headline-grabbing performances, there was an innings during the 2023 Asia Cup that somewhat flew under the radar.

The venue was Pallekele. India and Pakistan were locking horns, and unlike some recent matches in this rivalry, the script was different. India were reeling at 66 for four inside 15 overs, with Pakistan’s bowlers firmly on top.

Kishan, who mostly batted at the top in ODIs, walked in at No.5 and joined Hardik Pandya in the middle. What followed was smart, calculated batting as he steadied the innings with 82 off 81 balls. He stitched together a 138-run partnership with Hardik, helping India post 266. The match was eventually called off due to rain and replayed the next day. India dominated the replay, but Kishan’s earlier knock was the innings of a quiet hero.

Now, fast-forward to 2026. Kishan enters this phase with a clearly defined role — the destroyer at the top. His mindset, he says, has evolved.

"I think I'm a changed man now, to be honest. I don't get into it too much, but I do enjoy jokes and everything. I do it, but earlier I used to do it 24x7, but now it's just 2-3 hours of it. So I am just focusing more on batting and my wicket keeping which is going to help the team and which is going to help me," said Kishan after the Namibia win.

While much of the attention will be on Abhishek Sharma’s fitness ahead of the IND vs PAK clash, Kishan could well be India’s X-factor — and with good reason.

SPIN MASTER

One of the key themes heading into the Colombo clash is Pakistan’s spin attack and how it could trouble India. Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and the ever-intriguing Usman Tariq can challenge any batting line-up on their day.

India’s struggles against spin were exposed in the first two games, where Gerhard Erasmus — whose action resembles Tariq’s — picked up four wickets. India will need strong players of spin at the top. Abhishek Sharma, with a strike-rate above 210 against spin in T20 cricket, will be crucial if fit. But this cannot be a one-man job.

This is where Kishan becomes a game-changer. His improvement against spin has been significant. While his career strike-rate against spin stands at 155, in 2026 it has soared to 244.18. In just four innings, he has smashed 10 boundaries and eight sixes off spinners.

To put that growth into perspective: his strike-rate against spin was 169.23 in 2021, 140.83 in 2022, and just over 127 in 2023.

CLARITY AMONG CHAOS

India’s T20 batting approach has resembled a heavy metal concert — thrilling when it clicks, but capable of unraveling quickly.

We saw a glimpse of that during the USA game, where Kishan attempted to attack everything and ended up playing too many false shots. Against Namibia, however, he showed maturity. Recognising that the surface was not a flat deck, he began cautiously before shifting gears once set. The result was a blistering 61 off 24 balls, including four consecutive sixes off JJ Smit.

"I'm just trying to be calm on the pitch and just trying to watch the ball and play those shots which I already had, but sometimes you get excited and play those shots when you're playing international cricket. So I'm just trying to cut those moments off in my life and just try to play my own shots which I am good at and which is on on that particular wicket."

"So I'm not doing so much or thinking so much about batting, or getting into extra training sessions, but yeah just trying to watch the ball and be calm in the wicket, two three dot balls also it should not make a difference because I think the batters in our team they all got strength they all got that ability to hit at any point of time So it's just a matter of two balls."

At the R. Premadasa Stadium, such clarity and composure could prove decisive.

POWER-HITTING PRO MAX

Perhaps the most noticeable change in Kishan since his return has been the brute force with which he clears the ropes. There have been moments this year when even a short-arm jab has comfortably sailed over the boundary.

The numbers reinforce the transformation. In six games, Kishan has struck 29 fours and 23 sixes. The boundary count is his second-best in a calendar year, while the six tally is his highest.

There is a clear intent — Kishan wants to be the aggressor at the top and dictate terms. Those are precisely the ingredients required in a high-stakes India vs Pakistan contest.

And if history in Pallekele is any indication, Colombo might once again witness Ishan Kishan stepping up when it matters most.

- Ends