India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been appointed captain of Jharkhand for the upcoming 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 opening their campaign against Karnataka in Ahmedabad.
Mixed Experience in the Squad
The season’s squad is a blend of experience and youth, featuring players like Kumar Kushagra, Anukul Roy, Robin Minz, Abhinav Sharan, and Virat Singh. Jharkhand aims to build on its recent success in white-ball cricket.
Kishan’s new role follows an impressive season in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26, where he led Jharkhand to its first SMAT title. Throughout the tournament, he showcased exceptional form, scoring 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44, including two centuries and two half-centuries. His standout performance came in the final against Haryana, where he dazzled with a commanding 101 to secure the championship.
International Recall
Kishan’s fantastic run has also resulted in his recall to the Indian squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He has been named as the second-choice wicketkeeper-batter, backing up Sanju Samson, marking his return to the national team following impressive domestic performances.
“Woh white-ball cricket mein upar batting karta hai. Uski achi form hai. Woh pehle bhi India ke liye khel chuka hai. Uske paas one-day cricket mein double hundred hai. Woh Indian team mein nahi tha kyunki Rishabh Pant aur Dhruv Jurel aage hain. Dono achhe players hain,” Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar stated during the press conference announcing the Indian squad for the Men’s T20 World Cup.
Jharkhand Squad for 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