Ishan Kishan's Shock Comeback: Gill Dropped, Opening Slot Battle Heats Up for T20 World Cup 2026

• BCCI announced India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad, including Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh, while dropping Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma.
• Ishan Kishan makes a surprising comeback despite no recent T20Is, selected based on strong IPL and domestic form, notably leading Jharkhand to SMAT title with 517 runs.
• Shubman Gill was dropped due to inconsistent T20I performance as an opener, paving the way for new opening combinations.
• Kishan's return intensifies competition for the opening slot, with his coach suggesting an effective partnership with Abhishek Sharma.
• Sanju Samson, expected to open with Abhishek Sharma in the upcoming New Zealand series, faces pressure to perform consistently to secure his spot.

Why It Matters: Ishan Kishan's impactful return and Shubman Gill's exclusion reshape India's T20 World Cup 2026 opening strategy.