Harbhajan Singh Praises Ishan Kishan’s Role in T20 World Cup
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his admiration for head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selectors for choosing Ishan Kishan over Shubman Gill for the T20 World Cup squad. While this decision raised eyebrows at first, it ultimately proved to be correct as Kishan made significant contributions to the team.
Kishan emerged as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, playing a crucial role alongside Sanju Samson at the top of the batting order. His aggressive starts helped India secure early advantages in many matches, contributing to their championship success.
On his YouTube channel, Harbhajan acknowledged that Kishan’s selection sparked some debate regarding Gill’s omission. However, he emphasized that Kishan had been in excellent form during domestic games and rightly deserved another chance.
“Bringing Ishan Kishan in was a smart move by Gautam Gambhir. We initially felt bad for Shubman Gill because he was replaced, but I had mentioned earlier that Kishan was in fantastic form in domestic cricket, making his selection necessary,” Harbhajan noted.
He highlighted that Kishan maintained his aggressive style throughout the tournament and always prioritized the team’s needs. “Ishan Kishan took charge where Abhishek Sharma left off. He performed exceptionally in every match and kept the team’s interests first, which is a significant achievement after making a comeback,” Harbhajan commented.
How Kishan Replaced Gill
The selection change was prompted by the differing performances of the two players leading up to the tournament. Although Gill had returned to the T20I setup during the Asia Cup in September 2025 and was named vice-captain, he struggled to find consistent form. This decline ultimately led to his exclusion from the 15-member squad announced on December 20, 2025.
In contrast, Ishan Kishan was impressing in domestic cricket, helping his state team achieve their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title. He solidified his position by scoring a century against New Zealand just before the World Cup.
Kishan’s Performance in the T20 World Cup
Kishan carried his excellent form into the tournament, consistently providing strong starts. His attacking batting style aligned perfectly with India’s aggressive approach. In the final against New Zealand, Kishan scored 54 runs off just 25 balls, aiding India in posting a massive total of 255.
He also made crucial defensive contributions, taking two important catches to dismiss key players. By the conclusion of the tournament, Kishan had amassed over 300 runs, joining Sanju Samson and Virat Kohli as the only Indian players to reach that milestone in a single T20 World Cup edition.
This tournament highlighted Kishan’s talent, and his successful campaign has solidified his status as a valuable player for India in the T20 format.
