Is Ishan Kishan the New Captain for Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ishan Kishan appointed as captain of Jharkhand.
- Jharkhand's first match against Karnataka on December 24.
- Squad includes a mix of experienced players and younger talents.
- Kishan's recent performances have been outstanding.
- His leadership could enhance Jharkhand's performance in the tournament.
Ranchi, Dec 22 (NationPress) The Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the captain of Jharkhand for the forthcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite (VHT) 2025/26, as confirmed by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA). The domestic 50-over tournament is set to commence on December 24, with Jharkhand kicking off their campaign against Karnataka in Ahmedabad.
The squad announced for this season showcases a blend of seasoned players and young talent, including Kumar Kushagra, Anukul Roy, Robin Minz, Abhinav Sharan, and Virat Singh, as Jharkhand aims to continue their recent success in white-ball cricket.
Kishan’s selection comes after an impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26, where he captained Jharkhand to their first SMAT title. He exhibited exceptional form throughout the tournament, accumulating 517 runs over 10 innings at an average of 57.44, which included two centuries and two half-centuries. His standout moment was in the final against Haryana, where he scored a commanding 101, leading his team to victory.
This remarkable performance has also led to Kishan's recall to the Indian squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He is now the second-choice wicketkeeper-batter, following Sanju Samson, marking his return to the national team after consistent domestic success.
“He bats at the top in white-ball cricket. He’s been in good form. He’s played before for India. He has a double hundred in one-day cricket. He wasn’t in the Indian team because there’s a Rishabh Pant and a Dhruv Jurel ahead. They’re two pretty good players,” said Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar during the press conference announcing the Indian squad for the Men’s T20 World Cup.
Jharkhand's Squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26: Ishan Kishan (WK & captain), Virat Singh, Utkarsh Singh, Kumar Kushagra (WK & vice-captain), Robin Minz, Anukul Roy, Sharandeep Singh, Shikhar Mohan, Pankaj Kumar (WK), Bala Krishna, Md Kounain Quraishi, Shubh Sharma, Amit Kumar, Manishi, Abhinav Sharan, Sushant Mishra, Vikash Singh, Saurabh Shekhar, Rajandeep Singh, Shubham Singh.