Ishan Kishan’s sky salute after tragedy moves fans

Ishan Kishan’s 54 in India’s T20 WC final win came days after a family tragedy. He saluted the sky, dedicating the fifty

India’s T20 World Cup triumph against New Zealand on Sunday came with an emotional moment that went beyond the boundary ropes, as Ishan Kishan’s explosive half-century carried a deeply personal backstory.

As per details shared by the family, Kishan suffered a major loss just two days before the final when his cousin and brother-in-law died in a road accident on Friday. The sudden tragedy left the family in shock and grief, even as the left-hander stayed with the Indian squad for the title clash due to the importance of the match.

Family members said Kishan wanted to return home immediately after hearing the news, but could not travel because of the final. The loss also meant his father was unable to make the trip to Ahmedabad to watch the marquee game in person. Those close to the team said the batter appeared subdued during the pre-match net session, did not spend long periods on batting drills, and was visibly battling emotions.

Teammates, however, rallied around him in the build-up to the final. Several senior and young players were seen offering support, speaking to him, and encouraging him to stay strong through a difficult phase.

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When the match began, Kishan walked in at No. 3 and played a counter-attacking innings that changed the tempo. He struck 54 off 25 balls, taking on the New Zealand bowlers with a flurry of boundaries and sixes. After bringing up his third half-century of the tournament, he lifted his bat and pointed it towards the sky, dedicating the moment to the departed members of his family.

Kishan’s impact was not limited to batting. He also made his presence felt in the field, taking two crucial catches, including those of key batters Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert, helping India tighten the screws at important stages.

The tournament, too, ended on a high for the youngster. Across nine innings, Kishan reportedly totalled 317 runs, finishing fourth among the competition’s highest run-scorers—an achievement made even more poignant by the pain he carried into the final.

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