Star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been handed the responsibility of leading Jharkhand in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite 2025-26 season.
The Jharkhand State Cricket Association officially confirmed his appointment ahead of the prestigious domestic one-day tournament. The competition is set to begin on December 24, and Jharkhand will kick off their campaign against Karnataka in Ahmedabad.
Kishan's elevation to captaincy comes after a remarkable run in domestic cricket, where he played a key role in transforming Jharkhand into a competitive force. Along with Kishan, the squad features several familiar names such as Virat Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Anukul Roy, Robin Minz, and Abhinav Sharan, giving the team a balanced mix of experience and young talent.
Strong Jharkhand Squad Named For VHT Campaign
Jharkhand have named a well-rounded squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Ishan Kishan leading from the front as captain and wicketkeeper. Kumar Kushagra has been appointed vice-captain and will also share wicketkeeping duties. The squad includes batters like Virat Singh, Utkarsh Singh, and Robin Minz, while all-rounders such as Anukul Roy and Sharandeep Singh add depth to the lineup.
The bowling unit looks solid with options like Sushant Mishra, Manishi, Vikash Singh, and Saurabh Shekhar. With a combination of seasoned performers and promising youngsters, Jharkhand will aim to build on their recent success and make a strong impact in the 50-over format this season.
Kishan's Form, Leadership And National Comeback
Ishan Kishan's appointment as captain is backed by his outstanding performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26. He led Jharkhand to their maiden SMAT title, producing a stellar batting display throughout the tournament. Kishan scored 517 runs in 10 innings at an impressive average of 57.44, including two centuries and two half-centuries.
His memorable knock of 101 in the final against Haryana proved decisive in securing the historic title. On the back of these performances, Kishan has also earned a recall to the Indian squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where he will serve as the second-choice wicketkeeper-batter behind Sanju Samson. Expressing his happiness, Kishan said he was delighted with his return to the national side and proud of Jharkhand's SMAT triumph, praising the collective effort of his teammates.