'Delighted...extremely happy': Ishan Kishan on being selected for T20 WC
What's the story
Ishan Kishan has expressed his excitement over being recalled to India's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter was named in the 15-member team, led by Suryakumar Yadav. Kishan's return comes after a stellar performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he captained Jharkhand to their first title and emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer. Here are further details.
SMAT 2025
517 runs, 57.44 average and a SR of 197.32
In the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Kishan's scores read 27, 15, 113*, 93, 21, 2, 47, 63, 35 and 101. He hit two centuries and two fifties. He was the only batter to smash 500 runs in this year's SMAT. The next best was Ankit Kumar (448). As per ESPNcricinfo, Kishan hammered 517 runs at an average of 57.44. He struck at an impressive 197.32.
SMAT final
Kishan slammed 45-ball century in 2025 SMAT final
In the SMAT final, Kishan smashed a whirlwind century versus Haryana. The match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, witnessed Kishan hit 101 runs off 49 balls. He smashed six fours and 10 sixes (SR: 206.12). He completed his century from 45 balls. As per ESPNcricinfo, Kishan and Kumar Kushagra's 177-run stand became the third-highest tally for the 2nd wicket in SMAT. Meanwhile, this was also Jharkhand's highest partnership for any wicket in the competition's history.
Player's response
Kishan's reaction to his recall
Upon hearing the news of his recall, Kishan told ANI, "I am delighted. I have heard the news and it makes me feel extremely happy." He will wear the national colors for the first time since 2023 when he last played a T20I against Australia in Guwahati. India will start their T20 World Cup campaign on February 7 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium against USA.
Team composition
India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Along with Kishan, the squad also features Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vc), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Washington Sundar. The team will also play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home in January next month as a prelude to the World Cup.