Team India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has made a strong return to international cricket. After missing out on selection in all three formats since the end of the 2023 season, the 27-year-old earned another chance due to his excellent domestic performances. His form in Indian domestic cricket helped him force his way back into the national side.

Kishan was the top run-scorer in the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 517 runs in 10 matches at an average of over 57 and a strike rate of 197.32. He also led Jharkhand to a historic title win. These performances earned him a recall for the New Zealand T20I series and the upcoming T20 World Cup. In the series, he scored a brilliant 76 off 32 balls in the second T20I and a quick 28 off 13 balls in the third match.

Kishan has batted at No. 3 in all three games of the series. While some believe he should open the innings once Tilak Varma returns, he may be better suited to the one-down role in T20 cricket. With this in mind, here are three key reasons why Ishan Kishan is best placed at No. 3 in the India–New Zealand T20I series.

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1. Strong Numbers at One-Down

No matter the tactics, performance matters first—and Ishan Kishan’s numbers clearly support him batting at No. 3. In his T20I career, Kishan has scored 908 runs in 35 matches at an average of under 27 and a strike rate of 131.59. Out of his 35 innings, seven have come at No. 3, including his last six.

At one-down, Kishan averages an impressive 32.28 with a strike rate of over 167, along with three half-centuries. These numbers are much better than his overall T20I record. As an opener, he has batted in 27 innings but averages only 24.51 at a strike rate of under 123. His only other outing came at No. 6, where he scored 20 off 14 balls*. These stats clearly show that No. 3 is his best position in T20Is.

2. Ideal Spot for a Flexible and Versatile Batter

Ishan Kishan is one of India’s most versatile batters in white-ball cricket. In his international career, he has batted at every position from No. 1 to No. 7, which shows his flexibility. In ODIs, he has scored half-centuries at No. 3, 4, and 5, apart from opening.

His biggest strength is his ability to play both pace and spin with ease. This allows him to adapt quickly, whether he walks in early or comes in after the powerplay. Batting at No. 3 gives him the perfect balance—he can attack early or build the innings when needed.

3. Perfect Link Between Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav

Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav are fixed picks in India’s T20I top four. While some suggest Surya should bat at No. 3, his best numbers have come at No. 4. Since Abhishek is already a left-handed opener, India would prefer not to have another left-hander opening with him.

Ishan Kishan fits perfectly at No. 3 and acts as a bridge between Abhishek and Surya. This was clear in the last two T20Is against New Zealand. In the second match, Abhishek was out for a duck, and Kishan stepped in early to smash 76 off 32 balls. In the third game, he again came in early and added a quick 53-run partnership with Abhishek.

In both matches, Surya benefited the most. Kishan’s aggressive starts allowed the Indian captain to settle in and score back-to-back half-centuries. With Kishan batting at No. 3, India’s already strong T20I batting line-up looks even more dangerous.