Ishan Kishan’s speech sparks controversy during Afghanistan series

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan began the dinner speech with “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim” at the special dinner event for the blue brigade, hosted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). The star batter went on to praise the opponents' players while highlighting the strong bonds between the two teams.

Ishan is enjoying a fairytale time recently as he came into the T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on the back of his superb leadership in the Duleep Trophy 2026, where they claimed the title for the East Zone side, having contributed a superb double century in the final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Ishan Kishan’s viral moment that's got everyone talking

While speaking at the event, Kishan reckoned that it was always enjoyable facing the Afghanistan side, while highlighting the quality of the players both on and off the ground, but he started the speech with “Bismillah-Ir-Rahman-Ir-Rahim.”

Watch Ishan Kishan's viral moment here-

“It is always enjoyable playing against them (Afghanistan) because many of us have also played together in the IPL, and we know what wonderful human beings they are,” Ishan revealed during the speech.

“There is always something to learn from them. In particular, I played with Nabi Bhai at the Mumbai Indians, and he helped me a lot during batting sessions.” The Indian star reckoned.

The Jharkhand batter also lauded the hunger and determination of the opponents and described it as one of the team’s most impressive qualities of the game.

“One of the most impressive qualities about the Afghanistan team is their hunger and determination. Whenever we play against them, you can see how eager they are to take wickets and compete at the highest level.” Kishan addressed.

How has Ishan Kishan actually performed against Afghanistan and in recent games?

During the final of the Duleep Trophy in 2026, Kishan slammed 270 runs off just 334 balls, thanks to 30 boundaries and seven sixes against the South Zone, before backing it up with another superb knock of 80 runs in 98 balls, decorated with nine boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 81.63.

Two days later, during the opening T20I against Afghanistan, Ishan continued the aggressive approach and purple patch with a fine knock of 42 runs off 33 balls, thanks to his five boundaries and one six during the successful chase of 157 runs.

In the second encounter, The Indian batter drilled an unbeaten knock of 38 runs off just 23 balls at a strike rate of 165.21, thanks to his three boundaries and a pair of sixes in the 163-run chase.