Ishan Kishan Returns to T20 World Cup Squad: Agarkar Reveals Surprising Reason

• Ishan Kishan included in India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad after a long absence, sparking widespread discussion.
• Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar cited Kishan's outstanding form in SMAT 2025 and the team's need for a top-order wicketkeeper-batsman.
• Kishan led Jharkhand to the SMAT 2025 title, scoring 517 runs at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of 197.32, including a century in the final.
• He last played a T20I in November 2023 and is set to make his comeback against New Zealand in January 2026.
• Despite his strong SMAT performance, Kishan's T20I record against New Zealand has been poor, averaging 14.71 in 7 matches.

Why It Matters: Ishan Kishan's SMAT 2025 heroics earned him a T20 World Cup 2026 spot, as confirmed by Agarkar.