After SMAT, Ishan Kishan’s bat is on fire in Vijay Hazare too, will he get a chance in Team India’s playing XI in T20 World Cup?

Ishan Kishan Team India T20I Playing XI: Ishan Kishan has once again shown that he can handle any challenge well. After leading Jharkhand to the title for the first time in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), now he has caught everyone’s attention with his batting in Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) also.

With this great form, the question now arises whether Ishan Kishan will be able to make a place in India’s playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026. Their recent domestic numbers show this.

Which position will Ishan Kishan play?

After the failure of Shubman Gill, Team India relied on the opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. However, Ishan Kishan has now emerged as a strong option to open the innings. Kishan can not only start the innings but can also give the team an extra option as a wicketkeeper. His childhood coach and mentor, Uttam Majumdar, says that Kishan can play straight into the playing XI, and his best position is opening.

Kishan’s performance in current SMAT and VHT

In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, Ishan Kishan scored 517 runs and hit 33 sixes, leading the team to the title for the first time with a strike rate of 197.32. This performance justified the decision of the selectors. Now in Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kishan has proved that he can prove himself in any big tournament by scoring a century in just 33 balls for Jharkhand.

Will Ishan Kishan get a chance?

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma can open in the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand, but the presence of Ishan Kishan is making the competition for the opening spot even more interesting. If the selectors use him properly, Kishan can prove to be a big asset for Team India.