Ishan Kishan accidentally leaks India’s plan to tackle Usman Tariq

Indian left-handed in-form batter Ishan Kishan has been the finest batter in their playing XI recently, and after another spectacular knock against Namibia, he suggested India's new preparation strategy against Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq.

India entered the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 as the defending champions of the competition. They won the first match against the USA by a small margin and then went on to further dominate their run in the tournament with a thumping victory over Namibia.

Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson have given India a stellar start. Ishan Kishan scored a blazing 61 runs off just 24 balls, which was later converted into a further big score by the big-hitting all-rounder Hardik Pandya. They won the match by a massive margin of 93 runs, as Indian spinners spun the mesh and Namibia skidded out for 116.

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Namibian skipper helped India prepare for Usman Tariq challenge

Following his side's win over Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup, the Indian wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan has landed a perspective on their strategy to prepare against the Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq.

Kishan was dismissed on the very first ball bowled by Namibian skipper Gerhard Erasmus, who, much like Usman Tariq, had a sidearm action. However, despite that, he said that the matchup against the Namibian captain had prepared them, and it's time to "watch the ball and play their natural game."

Usman Tariq, the Pakistan spinner, has been a special inclusion in this edition of the ICC T20 World Cup for them. He has been criticised for his sidearm action; however, he has had tremendous success with the ball. He has also bowled during the death overs for Pakistan.

"There's nothing like you have to prepare" - Ishan Kishan on the Tariq challenge

Speaking after the match, Kishan was asked about how he and the Indian team have prepared for the sidearm action of Usman Tariq while facing Gerhard Erasmus. He then said that they have already done their preparations.

"No, I think we have already done the preparation part, and now it is just time to watch the ball and play our natural game (on preparing to play Tariq). So if the ball is there, as a batter, we just feel like going in because it's a T20 game. And we are trying to set a good total on board. But we do have to believe in our strength as well," he said.

"There's nothing like you have to prepare. I think at this level, we just watch a few videos, and we get an idea of what kind of bowling is going to happen. So we are just keeping it simple. Yeah, he bowled pretty well today, and I think there was quite a bit of learning for us for our team as well today," he added.

"I think I am a changed man now," claimed Ishan Kishan

Speaking of his change in mindset after he won the landmark Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with Jharkhand, Ishan Kishan pointed out that he now focuses more on batting and wicket-keeping than before, when he just used to enjoy making jokes and everything.

"I think I am a changed man now, to be honest. I don't get into it too much, but I do enjoy jokes and everything. I do it, but earlier I used to do it 24x7, but now it is just two-three hours of it. So I am just focusing more on batting and my wicket-keeping, which is going to help the team and which is going to help me. Everything is secondary," he concluded.

ALSO READ: Suryakumar Yadav praises Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan after win over Namibia