Ishan Kishan, who attracted attention during the T20 World Cup with his impactful performances against opponents, is currently facing difficulties in Europe. His tour of Europe has turned out to be more of a nightmare, as he is fighting for every run.
Statistics in Europe
Despite Abhishek Sharma and captain Shreyas Iyer managing to score at times, Kishan's bat has remained silent. In matches against Ireland and England, Kishan scored 79 runs in six matches with an average of 13.16 and a strike rate of 108.21. The problem is not only the poor figures but also that he consistently loses wickets in the same manner. He has yet to adapt to the bounce and movement of European pitches.
Match Details
In Belfast, playing against Ireland, Kishan scored 1 and 12 runs. Then, in the first T20I against England, he returned to the dressing room without a single run. In the second T20I in Manchester, he scored 49 runs off 40 balls, but could not maintain his rhythm afterward. In Nottingham, he scored 13 runs, and in Bristol, only 4 runs.
These figures are extremely disappointing for a player considered among the best in the world. His current slump is surprising, considering he was in the best form of his career just a few months ago. Before returning to the Indian squad, Kishan demonstrated powerful play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, hitting the bowlers hard and scoring 517 runs at a strike rate of 197.32, which helped Jharkhand win the title.
Period of Brilliant Performances
After this, when Kishan returned to the Indian team, his form did not wane. From January until the T20 World Cup 2026, he showed brilliant play, playing in 13 international T20 matches and scoring 532 runs at an average of 40.92 and a strike rate of 207.
Subsequently, in the IPL 2026, Kishan scored 602 runs at a strike rate of 182.42. However, as soon as he arrived in Europe, it seemed his game was affected by something. More concerning than his failure is the way he gets out of the game. In the last six matches, he has been dismissed twice via bowled and four times via caught.
Recurring Dismissal Pattern
His last three matches against England particularly demonstrate the story of a player who has failed to understand the extra bounce and ball movement in local conditions. In Manchester, when Kishan was approaching fifty, he attempted a big shot at a ball coming outside the off stump from Sam Curran. The ball did not connect properly with the bat, and Liam Dawson easily caught it on the extra cover. In Nottingham, Kishan fell victim to English bowling tactics again: Josh Tongue bowled a short ball, and Kishan tried to play a pull shot but could not control the extra bounce and was caught in deep backward square leg.
The situation did not change in Bristol either. Josh Tongue bowled a medium-length ball that bounced outside the off stump, and Kishan again tried to pull the ball but hit the top edge, and Sam Curran caught it at short third man.
Context in Indian Cricket
Three matches and three catches. Each time Kishan tried to put power into the ball, but the lack of control in English conditions proved fatal for him. Recently, Sanju Samson and 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi have been the most discussed names in Indian cricket. While Kishan is in poor form, his problems remain unnoticed. However, the statistics reveal the complexity of his situation.
Role of Captain Shreyas Iyer
Kishan's poor performance also reflects the current state of the Indian team. After winning the T20 World Cup, a strong start in the new cycle was expected, but under Shreyas Iyer's leadership, the team has failed to win a single T20I match. First, Ireland achieved a historic feat by defeating India 2-0, and now England has won the series.
The failures of the batsmen are one of the main reasons for the current state of the Indian team. The fifth and final T20 match between India and England will take place in Southampton. For the Indian team, which lost the series, this match is a last chance to save face, and for Ishan Kishan, it is an opportunity to regain his lost rhythm.
