Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan continued his strong performance in the Asian Games semi-final against Sri Lanka in Nagoya, Japan, achieving more than Virat Kohli’s seven scores of fifty or more in 2016. Kishan now has eight such scores this year, bringing him closer to Suryakumar Yadav’s record for the most half-centuries by an Indian in a single calendar year.
The knock, featuring four fours and five sixes, was hit at a strike rate of 173.91. India found themselves in a tough spot at 87 for 4 when Kishan came in to bat on a difficult pitch, as both Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson had scored only single digits. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 38 off just 21 balls, including six fours and two sixes, but India still needed more. Kishan’s innings helped India reach 169 for 7 in 20 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka were dismissed for a low score. Nuwanidu Fernando, who scored 15, was the sole Sri Lankan batsman to reach double figures. Axar Patel bowled 2 for 8, Jasprit Bumrah took 2 for 7, Abhishek Sharma ended with 2 for 2, and Washington Sundar contributed 1 for 18. There were also three run-outs during the innings.
The highest number of runs scored by a batter from a Test-playing nation in a calendar year is held by Pakistan’s Mohammed Rizwan, who made 1,326 runs in 29 matches and 26 innings during 2021, averaging 73.66 with a strike rate over 134, including one century and 12 fifties. Austria’s Karanbir Singh holds the overall T20I record for most runs in a calendar year, scoring 1,488 runs in 32 matches in 2025, at an average of 51.31 and a strike rate above 174, with two centuries and 13 fifties.
Pakistan’s Mohammed Rizwan holds the record for the most T20I runs in a calendar year by a batter from a Test-playing nation, amassing 1,326 runs in 29 matches and 26 innings during 2021. His performance came at an average of 73.66 and a strike rate exceeding 134, including one century and 12 half-centuries. Karanbir Singh of Austria holds the record for the most T20I runs in a single calendar year, amassing 1,488 runs across 32 matches and innings in 2025. His performance was marked by an average of 51.31 and a strike rate exceeding 174, including two centuries and 13 half-centuries.
Sri Lanka won the toss in the match and decided to field first. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a quick 38 off just 21 balls, including six fours and two sixes, while Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were dismissed for low scores. India was at 87 for four when Kishan’s innings steadied the team’s position.
