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Ishan Kishan's Coach Reveals How SMAT Heroics Forced Selectors' Hand

Ishan Kishan's incredible domestic form has earned him a recall to the national team. His coach believes the selectors simply couldn't ignore his match-winning performances. Kishan dominated the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, leading his state to a historic victory. This comeback story highlights the power of consistent performance at the domestic level.

Key Points: Ishan Kishan SMAT Performance Earns T20 World Cup Spot Coach Says

  • Ishan Kishan top-scored in SMAT with 517 runs at a strike rate over 197
  • He led Jharkhand to their first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title
  • Coach Uttam Majumdar emphasized that performance was the ultimate deciding factor
  • Kishan returns to the T20I squad after last playing against Australia in 2023
2 min read

Selectors couldn't let go of his performance in SMAT: Ishan Kishan's coach Uttam Majumdar

Ishan Kishan's coach Uttam Majumdar says his stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy run, leading Jharkhand to a maiden title, made his World Cup selection inevitable.

"The way he performed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and led Jharkhand to their maiden title, even the selectors couldn't let go of his performance. - Uttam Majumdar"

Noida, December 20

Ishan Kishan's coach, Uttam Majumdar, believes his impressive performance in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), leading Jharkhand to their first-ever title, made it impossible for selectors to ignore him, which earned him a spot in the Indian T20 World Cup squad.

Ishan, who had a marvellous SMAT 2025/26 campaign with Jharkhand, leading them to their first-ever SMAT title, has returned to the side after last playing a T20I against Australia in late 2023.

He top-scored in SMAT with 517 runs in 10 innings at 57.44, including two centuries and two fifties, including a century in the final against Haryana, and striking at over 197.

"The way he performed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and led Jharkhand to their maiden title, even the selectors couldn't let go of his performance," Uttam Majumdar said.

"I see this on a very positive note. His SMAT performance was brilliant. I kept telling him, Performance is everything. Even when he didn't get chances for two years in the Indian team, I always uplifted him mentally," he added.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead a 15-man squad in the upcoming T20 World Cup, with Shubman Gill, who has been the vice-captain of the T20I team, dropped amid fitness and form concerns, and Axar Patel returning to deputy duties.

The team was announced by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia at the board's headquarters on Saturday, in the presence of captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

India's squad for T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand T20I series: Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-capt), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wk).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Happy for him, but I hope he gets a proper run in the playing XI and not just sits on the bench. We need his aggressive batting at the top. Good to see selectors rewarding domestic form.
R
Rohit P
His century in the final was clutch! That's the kind of big-match temperament we need. Coach Majumdar is right, performance is everything. This should be a lesson for all youngsters grinding in domestic cricket.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, while Ishan earned his spot, dropping Shubman Gill entirely seems harsh. He's had a rough patch, but his class is permanent. Hope this doesn't break his confidence.
K
Karthik V
SMAT is the real test for Indian players. IPL gets all the glamour, but performing under pressure for your state team is different. Well done Ishan! Jharkhand mubarak ho for the title! 🏆
N
Nikhil C
Good squad overall. Ishan and Sanju as wicketkeeping options is solid. Now the management needs to back them and create a stable environment. No more musical chairs, please.

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