Ben shingoko

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: India’s top order has made no secret of its intent since winning the Men’s T20 World Cup title they won in 2024: attack the powerplay, set the tempo, and let rest of the depth carry them beyond 200. On Thursday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Ishan Kishan embodied that clarity by hitting a fiery 24-ball 61, and was one of the architects of the record 93-run win over Namibia.

Kishan’s blitzkrieg of six fours and five sixes pushed India to 86/1 in six overs - their highest powerplay score in the history of being in the tournament. That approach was of huge importance considering India had two post-powerplay wobbles on their way to making 209/9.

One would have thought that India would tweak its power-play approach after a reckless swing-at-every-ball method left them at 77/6. It felt the same when Sanju Samson’s cameo of 22 - three sixes and a four coming off Ben Shingoko in the second over – gave a simple catch to deep mid-wicket.