Thiruvananthapuram: Top-order batsman Ishan Kishan’s superb century and Arshdeep Singh’s first five-wicket haul led India to a comprehensive 46-run win in the fifth and final T20I of the home series against New Zealand at the Greenfield International Stadium.
Kishan scored 103 off 43 balls with India 271/5 after electing to bat first in their last game ahead of the T20 World Cup starting next weekend.
India, who are number one in the T20I rankings, bowled out New Zealand for 225 despite opener Finn Allen’s 38-ball 80.
India begin their T20 World Cup title defense when they play the United States (USA) in Mumbai on Saturday.
“I have done well and am getting these awards, but my focus is firmly on the World Cup,” said man of the match Kishan.
“That’s where the extra effort is needed. It’s important to take this form forward and continue to contribute.”
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep took his first five-wicket haul in T20Is for India, taking 5/51. Left arm spinner Axar Patel took 3 wickets.
Arshdeep went for 40 runs and took a wicket in his first two overs, but later took revenge.
Allen and Ravindra added 100 runs for the second wicket before New Zealand’s wheels soon came off with Allen’s departure.
Arshdeep took two wickets for 30 runs in one over and skipper Mitchell Santner took two wickets for a duck out.
Ish Sodhi scored 33 runs off 15 balls as the last wicket of New Zealand in 19.4 overs.
Earlier, India lost local boy Sanju Samson for 6 before Kishan’s 137-run third-wicket partnership with skipper Suryakumar Yadav made 63 runs.
Kishan took the leg-spinner Sodhi by hitting 4 fours and 2 sixes in the 12th over after scoring 29 runs. Suryakumar reached his third half-century with two consecutive sixes.
Suryakumar was adjudged the man of the series after scoring 242 runs in five matches.
“As a bowling unit, we have to find ways against very good batsmen – guys who hit fours and sixes,” Santner said of the improvements for the World Cup.
“Maybe turn those big overs into 15 or 16, especially on flat pitches, knowing that even 230 can be chased.”
Off-spinner Santner dropped his opposite number when Suryakumar stumped, but Kishan brought up his century with a six off 42 balls, jumping for joy as he received a standing ovation from the fans and the dressing room.
Kishan was bowled out for 84 by Glenn Phillips and eventually fell to Jacob Duffy — a knock that ended with six fours and 10 sixes.
Despite Hardik Pandya’s 17-ball 42, India scored 169 in the last 10 overs.