Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on Ishan Kishan’s return to India’s T20 World Cup squad, calling it a “gift from cricket” earned through hard work and humility rather than fortune.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said Kishan’s comeback was rooted in one simple factor: he showed respect for the game. According to Ashwin, the wicketkeeper-batter’s absence from the national side earlier and his re-entry now are part of cricket’s natural cycle.

“This is a gift that cricket has given to Ishan Kishan. People from outside may call it luck or even unfair, but life comes back in circles. The reason he was out and the reason he’s back is only one — he respected the game,” Ashwin said.

Kishan has been named as India’s second wicketkeeper-batter for the upcoming T20 World Cup following a remarkable Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26 campaign. He played a pivotal role in guiding Jharkhand to their maiden SMAT title, finishing as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of over 197. His tally included two centuries, one of which came in the high-pressure final against Haryana.

The left-hander returns to the national side after last featuring in a T20I against Australia in late 2023. Ashwin also highlighted Kishan’s domestic grind from the Buchi Babu Trophy to Ranji Trophy preparations and first-class cricket as the foundation of his resurgence.

“He played in the Buchi Babu Trophy. A player like Ishan Kishan turning up for Jharkhand in Chennai says a lot. He was the top performer in Ranji Trophy preparations. He went through the grind, respected the game, and that’s why success followed,” Ashwin added.

India’s T20 World Cup squad will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, while Axar Patel has been reinstated as vice-captain. Shubman Gill has been left out due to concerns over fitness and form.

India have been placed in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan and the USA. Their World Cup campaign begins against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai.