Ishan Kishan’s 2026 has been one of Indian cricket’s most compelling comeback stories, and his recent form against Afghanistan only added another chapter.
From the wilderness to world No.1
After requesting a break from national duty in December 2023 and subsequently losing his BCCI central contract, Kishan spent nearly two years outside India’s plans. His way back came through domestic cricket, captaining Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title while finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. That form earned him a recall for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he scored 317 runs at a strike rate above 190, including a Player of the Match display against Pakistan. He has since become the world’s No.1-ranked T20I batter and struck 270 in the Duleep Trophy final.
Current form against Afghanistan
Kishan continued that momentum in India’s series against Afghanistan, remaining unbeaten on 38 off 23 balls in the second T20I to help seal a seven-wicket win. Captain Shreyas Iyer was effusive afterwards, saying Kishan “has been in great form. He’s very relaxed, calm and knows his game.”
The wicketkeeper battle
Kishan’s resurgence has created a genuine selection dilemma alongside Sanju Samson’s own recent form turnaround, with India now possessing two in-form wicketkeeper-batters competing for a similar role in the XI. That competition, once viewed as a weakness in India’s squad depth, has instead become one of their biggest strengths heading into a busy international calendar.
Kishan’s story also carries weight for its human element – a player who once looked established in India’s plans, lost his place entirely, and rebuilt himself on pure domestic form rather than reputation. It’s a template selectors have increasingly pointed to when discussing India’s next generation of white-ball talent.
With his ranking and recent scores both trending upward, Kishan looks less like a temporary recall and more like a fixture in India’s white-ball plans heading into the next World Cup cycle.