When the BCCI senior men’s selection committee announced India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday (December 20), there was a notable inclusion in it.

Ishan Kishan earned a surprise call-up to the 15-member group. The southpaw pipped Jitesh Sharma after leading Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 title earlier this week, strengthening his case as a top-order option who also adds flexibility behind the stumps.

Kishan made his comeback to the national side on the back of a blistering performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he amassed 517 runs in 10 innings to finish as the leading run-scorer.

Back in the national reckoning after nearly two years, the 27-year-old couldn’t hide his happiness.

“I am delighted. I’ve heard the news, and it makes me feel extremely happy," Kishan told news agency ANI.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill’s snub was the biggest talking point of India’s 15-member squad announced for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

After failing to hit a half-century since his return to the T20I fold as deputy during the Asia Cup 2025, Gill was under severe scrutiny, especially with Sanju Samson warming the bench. As it turned out, the 26-year-old was dropped from the side, and Axar Patel was named the new vice-captain.

India will begin their T20 World Cup title defence on February 7 in Mumbai against the USA.

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