Double delight for Ishan Kishan after T20 World Cup selection, becomes captain of Virat's team

The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) has officially appointed star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as the captain for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26 season, which is set to get underway from December 24. Jharkhand is set to begin its campaign on December 24 in Ahmedabad, where they will face a formidable Karnataka side in their opening fixture. Kishan will lead a talented squad that features key players such as Kumar Kushagra, Anukul Roy, Robin Minz, Abhinav Sharan, and Virat Singh.

Ishan Kishan to lead Jharkhand in Vijay Hazare Trophy

After a two-year hiatus from the national team, Kishan has finally earned his recall to the Indian squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The 27-year-old’s journey back to the top was defined by his commitment to the domestic circuit.

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The turning point for Kishan came during Jharkhand’s recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) campaign. He emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer, delivering a series of dominant performances that made his return to the national side inevitable. By dominating at the domestic level, he proved he was ready to once again compete on the world stage.

Kishan captained Jharkhand to their first-ever title in the SMAT’s history. He was in blistering form throughout the campaign, amassing 517 runs across 10 innings at an impressive average of 57.44. His leadership was defined by his ability to lead from the front, most notably evidenced by his match-winning century (101) in the final against Haryana.

Kishan is slated to serve as the second wicketkeeper-batter option, providing backup to Sanju Samson in India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad. His inclusion marks a significant comeback for the explosive opener following his recent heroics on the domestic circuit.

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The Indian squad for T20 World Cup features several notable changes under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. While Axar Patel returns to his role as vice-captain, the squad sees the high-profile exclusion of Shubman Gill, who was dropped due to a combination of fitness issues and recent struggles with form.

Jharkhand's squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26:

Ishan Kishan (Wk & captain), Virat Singh, Utkarsh Singh, Kumar Kushagra (Wk & vice-captain), Robin Minz, Anukul Roy, Sharandeep Singh, Shikhar Mohan, Pankaj Kumar (WK), Bala Krishna, Md Kounain Quraishi, Shubh Sharma, Amit Kumar, Manishi, Abhinav Sharan, Sushant Mishra, Vikash Singh, Saurabh Shekhar, Rajandeep Singh, Shubham Singh