“Our thought was to…” - Ajit Agarkar reveals why Ishan Kishan is included in T20 World Cup squad

India’s chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, has broken the silence behind the backup keeper Ishan Kishan’s inclusion in the 15-man strong T20 World Cup squad, which will be led by Suryakumar Yadav.

Speaking at the press conference after disclosing India’s World Cup 2026 squad, Agarkar has asserted that Ishan Kishan was in good form in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, adding it was unfortunate to see Shubman Gill out of the squad.

Importantly, Kishan made it to the Indian squad at the last minute, courtesy of his exceptional performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 campaign, in which he amassed 517 runs from 10 games at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of 197.32.

“We are looking at combinations. Our thought was to have another keeper. Gill is a quality player, unfortunate to miss out, but it is the combination we want. Ishan bats at the top, he has been in good form, and played before for India,” Ajit Agarkar told the reporters.

“He wasn't there because Jurel and Pant were ahead. Sanju is at the top. Ishan at the top. That is the combination we are looking at right now. We felt he is the best back up keeper at this point,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has played a total of 15 T20Is in the ongoing calendar year 2025, racking up only 291 runs at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26.with the highest score of 47. 

India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

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