Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on Ishan Kishan’s return to the Indian T20 setup, describing the wicketkeeper-batter’s selection for the upcomingT20 World Cupas a reward earned through perseverance and respect for the game.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former India spinner said Kishan’s comeback was not a coincidence but the result of the hard yards he put in after being out of the national side. According to Ashwin, cricket has a way of coming full circle, and Kishan’s journey back reflects that truth. He noted that while some may question the selection, the underlying reason for Kishan’s return is simple- his commitment to the game never wavered.

Kishan has been picked as India’s second wicketkeeper-batter after a sensational domestic season, headlined by a dream run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The left-hander played a key role in guiding Jharkhand to their maiden SMAT title and finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer. His tally of 517 runs came from 10 innings, at an impressive average of 57.44 and a strike rate in excess of 197, including two hundreds. One of those centuries arrived in the pressure-packed final against Haryana.

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The 26-year-old last featured in a T20I during India’s tour of Australia in late 2023, making this World Cup selection a significant milestone in his comeback. Ashwin pointed out that Kishan’s resurgence was built on his willingness to return to the grind of domestic cricket. From representing Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu Trophy in Chennai to putting in strong performances during Ranji Trophy preparations and other first-class fixtures, Kishan, in Ashwin’s view, showed humility and dedication that eventually paid off.

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India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, with Axar Patel named vice-captain. Shubman Gill, meanwhile, has missed out on selection owing to concerns over fitness and form.