India got a stormy start in the warm-up game against South Africa before the beginning of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, as Ishan Kishan played a powerful knock as an opener. 

In the warm-up game at DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday night (February 4), Indian openers Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma provided a powerful start with a 80-run partnership for the first wicket in just 5.4 overs before Ishan retired out after completing his half-century in just 20 balls. 

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Ishan Kishan slammed 53 off 20 balls with two fours and seven sixes

While India scored 83/1 in the powerplay, with the one wicket of retired out of Ishan Kishan, Ishan scored 53 off 20 balls with the help of two fours and seven sixes. 

India started powerfully with Ishan's two sixes in the first over to Lungi Ngidi. After scoring less than 10 runs in the next two overs, Ishan and Abhishek added 14 and 29 runs in the fourth and fifth overs, respectively. 

Anrich Nortje conceded 29 runs in fifth over, Indian openers hit four sixes

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje conceded 29 runs in his first over of the match, where Abhishek welcomed him with an overboundary, and after a single, Ishan slammed three sixes and one four. 

In the final over of the powerplay, Ishan slammed his seventh six of the match on the fourth ball to complete his half-century in just 20 balls and also retired out. 

That's some way to get off the mark 😎

Ishan Kishan 🤝 Abhishek Sharma

Fifty up for #TeamIndia in the chase

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/YzRfqi0li2#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank ️ pic.twitter.com/P0dTXAHPlp

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 25, 2026

Opener Abhishek Sharma later retired hurt for 24 off 18 balls with three fours and one six.