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Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lauded Ishan Kishan’s return to the Indian T20 World Cup squad, describing it as a gift that cricket has bestowed upon the young batter. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin noted that Kishan’s recall is a direct result of the respect he has shown the game by consistently performing at the domestic level. Ashwin highlighted that after being pushed down the pecking order and losing his central contract, Kishan chose to grind through the domestic circuit rather than distance himself from it.
R Ashwin on Ishan Kishan's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad
The legendary off-spinner emphasized that Kishan's journey has come full circle because of his unwavering commitment to the game. From playing in the Buchi Babu Invitational to leading Jharkhand in their Ranji Trophy preparations, Kishan kept on showing his hunger for the game and ultimately he reaped the harvest. Ashwin pointed out that by participating in these tournaments, Kishan sent a powerful message about his dedication to the sport, which the selectors have now rightfully rewarded.
Kishan’s comeback is underpinned by a historic performance in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he captained Jharkhand to their first-ever domestic T20 title. Not only did he lead his state to glory, but he also finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 517 runs with a strike rate of over 197. For Ashwin, this successful domestic campaign was the ultimate proof that Kishan had "gone through the yards," earning his spot back in the national side as a key wicketkeeper-batter for the upcoming World Cup.
"This is a gift that cricket has given to Ishan Kishan. Many people from outside can guess what it is, and some may say it's unfair. But life comes back in circles. The reason Ishan was not in the team earlier, and how he has come back now, has only one reason. He has given cricket the respect it deserves," Ashwin said.
Kishan has made a spectacular return to the Indian T20I squad after nearly two years, following a historic campaign in the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). Captaining Jharkhand to their first-ever title, Kishan finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 517 runs at a stellar average of 57.44 and a blistering strike rate of over 197. His domestic dominance was capped off by a match-winning century in the final against Haryana, marking a powerful comeback since his last international T20 appearance against Australia in late 2023.
Shubman Gill's absence makes way for Ishan Kishan
The squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 features several high-profile changes. Most notably, former vice-captain Shubman Gill has been omitted due to a combination of fitness issues and a dip in form. In his absence, Axar Patel has been reinstated as the team's vice-captain. Ravichandran Ashwin noted that Kishan’s inclusion is a testament to his "respect for the game," highlighting his persistent efforts across the Buchi Babu Trophy, Ranji Trophy, and first-class cricket as the key drivers behind his earned spot in the World Cup roster.
"He played in the Buchi Babu Trophy. A player like Ishan Kishan came and represented Jharkhand in the tournament held in Chennai. He was the number one performer in Ranji Trophy preparations for Jharkhand and once again scored runs in first-class cricket. In SMAT, he led the team to victory, and he also performed exceptionally well. That's why this is not about Ishan Kishan the person; it's about Ishan Kishan the cricketer, who went through the yards of the game, respected the game, and hence succeeded," he concluded.
Defending champions India are placed in Group A for the 2026 T20 World Cup, alongside Pakistan, the Netherlands, Namibia, and the United States. They are scheduled to kick off their title defense on home soil with a night fixture against the USA at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium on February 7. Following the opener, India will travel to New Delhi to face Namibia on February 12, before heading to Colombo for the high-stakes clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 15. The team will then return to India to conclude their group stage matches against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.
India's squad for T20 World Cup 2026 and T20I series vs NZ:
Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-capt), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wk)
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