Suryakumar Yadav Explains Why Ishan Kishan Was Picked Over Jitesh Sharma for T20 World Cup 2026
Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed the reasoning behind the surprising selection of Ishan Kishan over Jitesh Sharma for India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Ishan Kishan, who had been out of the national team for more than two years, earned his recall after a stellar performance in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Jharkhand. His exceptional show with the bat earned him a spot in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in January 2026, as well as in India’s World Cup squad.
A Difficult Decision
Jitesh Sharma, a key part of India’s Asia Cup-winning team last year, was understandably disappointed by the omission. Speaking to PTI, Suryakumar admitted that the decision was not easy:
“It was completely on gut and a little bit on data as well because it was very harsh on Jitesh Sharma at that time. He had been with the team for the last 1–1.5 years and was playing as well. I was very sad when we had to pick Ishan over Jitesh, but then if we had to bring some firepower at the top or balance the left-right combination of openers, someone had to miss out.”
Suryakumar emphasized that the selection considered Ishan’s abilities and potential X-factor for the team.
Trusting Ishan to Deliver
The T20I captain also shared a personal anecdote about motivating Ishan before the World Cup:
“So, I just called him and asked, ‘Chotu, World Cup jitayega? (Will you win the World Cup?)’ and he said, ‘Bass bharosa kar ke dekhiye (just trust me).’ I said, ‘Chal kiya bharosa’ (okay, I trust you), and the way he played was amazing.”
Domestic and IPL Form Counted
Suryakumar highlighted that Ishan’s journey during his time away from the national team justified his selection.
“When he went out of the team 1–1.5 years ago, he went back home, analysed what had happened, and played domestic cricket extensively. He played practice matches in every corner of India and performed in the IPL. He completely deserved that spot.”
Ishan’s inclusion was seen as a strategic move to bring fresh energy and firepower to the Indian squad, and he delivered on expectations during the New Zealand series leading up to the T20 World Cup.
Balancing Talent and Team Dynamics
The decision highlights the challenging nature of team selection in international cricket, where form, potential, and team balance must all be weighed. Suryakumar’s candid comments shed light on the difficult choices captains and selectors face when crafting a squad for a high-stakes tournament like the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
