Ishan Kishan dedicates T20 World Cup triumph to cousin who died before final

The India national cricket team created history by winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, but the victory carried deep personal emotion for wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, who revealed after the final that he had lost a cousin in a car accident a day before the match.

Kishan played a crucial role in the final against New Zealand national cricket team, smashing a quickfire 54 off 25 balls to help India secure the title.

Speaking after the match, Kishan said he had received the news on Saturday, just a day before the final.

“On Saturday (March 7), my cousin sister passed away in an accident. I was very shocked, but Hardik Pandya encouraged me and told me to stay strong and prioritise the team,” Kishan said.

He added that the victory carried special meaning as it coincided with International Women’s Day on March 8. “Today is also Women’s Day, so I dedicate this victory to my sister,” he said.

Apart from his aggressive batting, Kishan also contributed behind the stumps by taking two important catches during the match.

Kishan also recalled an earlier conversation with teammate Suryakumar Yadav about the World Cup.

“When Suryabhai called me, I took a screenshot because I thought it was about the World Cup. He asked me if I would win the World Cup. I said, ‘Will you trust me?’ He said yes,” Kishan said.

The tournament proved memorable for Kishan, who returned to international cricket after a lengthy absence. He finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 317 runs in nine innings at an average of 35.22.

Known for his aggressive approach, Kishan maintained an impressive strike rate of 193.29 throughout the competition.

The Jharkhand cricketer had earlier made his way back into the national side after leading his state team to the title in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, demonstrating resilience and mental strength on his return to international cricket.