Ishan was ruled out of the third T20I in Wellington while recovering from a low-grade right adductor strain sustained in the series opener. The BCCI said he was recovering well but had yet to regain match fitness.
Batting at No. 5, Ishan made 80 not out from 46 balls against Sri Lanka. His five sixes helped India reach 169/7 before the bowlers completed a commanding semifinal win.
Ishan topped the ICC men’s T20I batting rankings for the first time, replacing teammate Abhishek Sharma. He became the fourth Indian batter to reach the top spot.
Sunrisers Hyderabad appointed Ishan interim captain for the start of IPL 2026 while Pat Cummins recovered from injury. Abhishek Sharma was named vice-captain.
His 52 from 25 balls in the World Cup final and 39 from 18 in the semifinal helped lift Ishan to No. 2 in the ICC men’s T20I batting rankings. India held both of the top two places for the first time.