'Can you win World Cup for me?': Ishan Kishan reveals heartfelt chat with Suryakumar before T20 World Cup 2026

The star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan repaid the selectors' faith with his crucial knocks in India's T20 World Cup 2026 title-winning cause. For him, lifting the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy is far more than a collective team achievement. After years of relentless grinding, the wicketkeeper-batter finally saw his efforts culminate in global glory. The emotional weight of the journey was visible during the post-match media session in Ahmedabad, where he appeared alongside teammate Abhishek Sharma following India’s decisive 96-run win over New Zealand.

ALSO READ: Exclusive: Gautam Gambhir's solid reply to critics after India's T20 World Cup glory, says 'I only think about...'

Ishan Kishan on emotional conversation with Suryakumar Yadav

Kishan’s inclusion in the World Cup squad was initially viewed as a surprise masterstroke by the selection committee. His international career had previously been clouded by uncertainty after he was dropped from the BCCI Central Contract list. Faced with a period behind the curtains while navigating injuries and personal challenges, the Jharkhand-born cricketer refused to fade away. Instead, he returned to the domestic circuit with a point to prove, consistently delivering match-winning performances that made it impossible for selectors to look elsewhere.

The turning point came in December 2025, when Kishan captained Jharkhand to a historic first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title. He led from the front, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 517 runs, headlined by a magnificent century in the final against Haryana. This dominant domestic run forced the hand of the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel, earning him a recall just in time for the world stage. By March 8, the preparation and perseverance met their reward, sealing a comeback story defined by grit and a long-awaited embrace with ICC silverware.

"When Suryakumar called me a few months back to tell me about my selection in the World Cup squad, he asked me, 'Can you win the World Cup for me?. 'I just asked him back, 'Will you trust me?' and he said 'Yes, I will trust you", Ishan said after India's historic T20 World Cup 2026 glory.

"It means a lot to me. More than myself, my family members are much more relaxed now. As sportsmen, we can take care of ourselves in our difficult phases, but it's our family members who remain worried", he concluded.

ALSO READ: 'Imagine if Sanju had been playing for a milestone': Gambhir reveals dressing room's mindset which led to 250 becoming common

Ishan Kishan's brilliant fifty in IND vs NZ T20 World Cup final

Talking about his performance in the grand finale, the 27-year-old delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting. Stepping in at the no.3 position, the southpaw dismantled the Kiwi bowlers, racing to a quickfire 54 runs off 25 deliveries. His performance in the final was the crowning achievement of a remarkably consistent tournament. Kishan concluded the campaign as the fourth-highest run-scorer overall, accumulating 317 runs across nine innings.