Kishan backed at No.3 as India look ahead to T20 World Cup
India skipper has thrown his weight behind Ishan Kishan’s return to India’s T20I XI for the New Zealand series, backing the left-hander to bat at No.3
Speaking on the eve of the first T20I against New Zealand, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Ishan Kishan will slot in at No.3, underlining the management’s faith in the batter who is part of defending champions' ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 squad.
Kishan, who has not featured for India since the T20I series against Australia in November 2023, has scored 796 runs across 32 T20Is at an average of 25.67 and a strike rate of 124.37, with 31 of his 32 innings coming in the top three of the batting order.
“Ishan (Kishan) will play at No 3. He is part of our World Cup team,” said the India skipper.
“He hasn't played for India in a very long time. He has been doing well in domestic cricket. Since we have picked him in the World Cup team, he deserves to play.
With Tilak Varma unavailable, the Indian captain made it clear that Kishan is the best fit for the role as India look to settle combinations early in the World Cup year.
“It would have been a different situation if the question was about No.4 or No.5. Unfortunately, we are missing Tilak, so I feel Ishan is our best bet at No.3.”
Suryakumar, who is all set to play in his 100th T20I for India, also played down concerns about his own form, stressing that personal performances take a back seat in a team sport, particularly with a major home T20 World Cup on the horizon.
“If this was a singles sport, if I was playing table tennis or lawn tennis, then I would have thought about it more.
“In a team sport, my first responsibility is how the team is playing. If the team is winning, I am happy with that. If I am able to perform then it's okay, if not then no problem.
“There is no room for personal milestones, it's a team sport. Everyone has to step up, do well and be happy for each other. That's the most important thing in a team atmosphere and that's what I like to do."
Reflecting on his own preparation, the dazzling batter revealed that he has gone back to the foundations that shaped his success in T20 cricket.
The 35-year-old has been facing a rough patch in the shortest format for India, with no half-century scores in his last 22 innings, since October 2024.
"I thought about what aspects (of my batting) gave me an identity in T20 cricket. I have worked on all those things.
“When I came into the Indian team in 2021, (I looked at) how I used to bat in the last 3-4 years. I thought about it, I understood my game, understood the template of this team, and thought about how we want to play cricket going forward.
“So, I practised accordingly and that's how I am practicing in the nets as I used to do before and I will try to play in the same way during the match."
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Despite the recent 2-1 ODI series defeat at the hands of New Zealand, the Indian captain believes pressure is an essential part of elite sport and something that can energise the team as they build momentum in T20Is.
“We have been playing T20 cricket well.
“There is pressure in any sport, and there is no fun playing without pressure. It creates a different energy and motivates us. I am sure it will be a very good series.”
India and New Zealand face off in the first T20I in Vidarbha on Wednesday, 21 January.