New Delhi: India’s wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan shared an emotional moment following India’s triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, revealing that he lost his cousin in a car accident just a day before the tournament final.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Kishan said the personal loss deeply affected him but he chose to play the match in her memory. The left-handed batter dedicated the historic win to his cousin, adding that the moment carried even greater meaning as it coincided with International Women’s Day.
Kishan also credited teammate Hardik Pandya for supporting him during the difficult time. According to the batter, Pandya encouraged him to stay focused on the team and the match despite the emotional setback.
Reflecting on his recent performances, Kishan spoke about a shift in his mindset. He explained that he has stopped overthinking situations and instead concentrates on aspects of the game that are within his control, a mindset he said he learned by observing Virat Kohli.
The batter also recounted a memorable conversation with India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the tournament. Kishan said he received a call from the skipper and jokingly took a screenshot of it, assuming it might be related to the World Cup squad. During the conversation, Suryakumar reportedly asked him if he could help India win the tournament, to which Kishan responded by asking whether the captain truly trusted him.
Kishan went on to play a crucial role throughout the competition. He finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament, amassing 317 runs in nine matches at a remarkable strike rate of 193.29, including three half-centuries.
India’s victory marked a significant moment in the tournament, and for Kishan, the triumph carried a deeply personal meaning as he honoured the memory of his cousin through his performance on cricket’s biggest stage.
