Nagpur: Ishan Kishan is set to return to India’s T20 team after a gap of 785 days as India face New Zealand in the first T20 international on Wednesday.
The left-handed batter will play his first T20 match for India since November 2023. Team captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed Kishan’s return and said he will bat at No.3 in the series opener.
The match will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
Suryakumar Confirms Kishan’s Role
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar said the team management was clear about Kishan’s position in the batting order.
“Ishan will bat at No.3,” the captain said. “He is part of our World Cup plans. With Tilak Varma not available, Ishan is the best option.”
Suryakumar added that the decision was straightforward given Kishan’s recent form and experience at the international level.
Return After Long Absence
Kishan last played a T20 international for India on November 28, 2023, against Australia. After that, he was out of the national T20 setup for more than a year.
The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter used the time away from international cricket to rebuild his form in domestic tournaments. His performances made it difficult for selectors to ignore him ahead of the India vs New Zealand T20 series.
Strong Domestic Season
Kishan played a key role in Jharkhand’s historic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph. It was the state’s first title in the tournament.
He scored 517 runs in 10 innings, averaging over 57, with a strike rate close to 200. His most memorable knock came in the final, where he smashed 101 runs off just 49 balls against Haryana.
Jharkhand posted a massive total of 262 for 3 in that match and went on to win comfortably. Kishan was named Player of the Match for his innings, which included multiple sixes and boundaries.
Captaincy and Big Scores
Leading Jharkhand as captain, Kishan showed both control and attacking intent. His ability to score quickly at the top order stood out throughout the tournament.
He carried his form into the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well. In one of the matches, he scored a century off just 33 balls against Karnataka, further strengthening his case for a national recall.
Selectors took note of his consistent performances across formats.
Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Kishan’s return comes at an important time as India begin shaping their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Suryakumar said Kishan fits into the team’s long-term plans. The team management believes his aggressive style at No.3 can give India momentum in the powerplay and middle overs.
“If it was No.4 or No.5, the situation would be different,” Suryakumar said. “But for No.3, Ishan is the right choice.”
India Begin New Chapter
The India vs New Zealand T20 series marks the start of a new phase for the Indian T20 side, with several players getting chances ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
For Kishan, the Nagpur match is more than just a return. It is an opportunity to secure his place in the team again after a long wait.
India and New Zealand will face off in the opening T20 on Wednesday, with Kishan expected to walk out at No.3 and resume his international journey.
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