His numbers against New Zealand were extraordinary. Two hundred and fifteen runs, a strike rate north of 230, and a series-ending hundred that felt less like a knock and more like a statement. Kishan did not ask for a place. He demanded it.

What makes his surge more compelling is the context. He arrived late, with little runway, and immediately altered the selection landscape. In a format where intent is currency, Kishan provided clarity.

His success has also sharpened the focus on others. Most notably, Sanju Samson. Where Samson hesitated, Kishan accelerated. Where doubt crept in, confidence followed.

India now face a choice between continuity and momentum. Kishan’s form represents the latter, and in T20 cricket, momentum often wins.

Whether Kishan starts or not, the pressure he has applied will linger. Selection debates may continue, but one thing is clear. The competition has intensified, and India’s batting order will not look the same again.