Ishan Kishan is enjoying a remarkable turnaround in his cricketing journey, marked by back-to-back milestones. Soon after earning a recall to India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter has been appointed captain of Jharkhand for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025–26 season.
The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) confirmed Kishan’s appointment ahead of the tournament, which begins on December 24. Jharkhand will kick off their campaign in Ahmedabad, where they are scheduled to take on a strong Karnataka side in their opening match. Kishan will lead a balanced squad featuring experienced names like Virat Singh, Anukul Roy, and Kumar Kushagra, along with promising talents such as Robin Minz and Abhinav Sharan.
Ishan Kishan to lead Jharkhand in Vijay Hazare Trophy
After spending nearly two years away from the national setup, Kishan’s return to the Indian team for the 2026 T20 World Cup signals a major resurgence. The 27-year-old forced his way back into contention through consistent performances in domestic cricket, showing both maturity and hunger.
His defining moment came during Jharkhand’s recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) campaign. Kishan finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, producing a string of commanding innings that underlined his dominance at the domestic level. His form and leadership played a crucial role in Jharkhand lifting their maiden SMAT title.
Kishan led from the front throughout the tournament, scoring 517 runs in 10 innings at an impressive average of 57.44. His standout performance came in the final against Haryana, where he smashed a match-winning century to seal the historic title for Jharkhand.
On the international front, Kishan has been selected as the second wicketkeeper-batter in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, serving as backup to Sanju Samson. His inclusion reflects the selectors’ faith in his explosive batting and renewed consistency.
India’s T20 World Cup squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, features several notable changes. Axar Patel has returned as vice-captain, while Shubman Gill has been left out following concerns over fitness and recent form.
With national selection secured and captaincy responsibilities at the domestic level, Ishan Kishan now stands at a pivotal phase of his career—one that could define his long-term future in Indian cricket.
Jharkhand 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