T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan fires shots at selectors for punishing him after triumph

For Ishan Kishan,India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup 2026 was far more than just a championship victory. It marked the culmination of a long and challenging journey filled with setbacks, doubts, and personal struggles.

Speaking to the media alongside Abhishek Sharma after India’s emphatic 96-run win over New Zealand in the final at Ahmedabad on March 8, the wicketkeeper-batter appeared visibly emotional as he reflected on his turbulent path back to international cricket.

Kishan’s selection for the World Cup squad had surprised many. After losing his BCCI central contract, the Jharkhand cricketer had been out of the national reckoning for a considerable period. Determined to revive his career, he turned his focus to domestic cricket, delivering consistent match-winning performances while battling injuries and personal challenges.

His resurgence peaked in December 2025 when he captained Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title. Leading from the front, Kishan finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 517 runs, including a brilliant century in the final against Haryana, which Jharkhand won by 69 runs. That performance forced the selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, to bring him back into the national fold for the T20 World Cup.

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Kishan revealed that he first learned about his selection through a call from Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.

“Surya called me a few months ago and asked if I could win the World Cup for him,” Kishan said. “I replied by asking if he would trust me, and he said yes.”

The moment carried deep emotional significance for the 27-year-old, especially for his family who had supported him through the difficult phases of his career.

“As players, we somehow deal with our struggles, but it’s our families who worry the most. Today they can finally feel relieved,” he said.

During the media interaction, Kishan also made a heartfelt remark to teammate Abhishek Sharma, highlighting the difference in their journeys.

“Your struggle lasted a month. Mine went on for two years,” he said candidly.

Adding to the emotional weight of the final, Kishan revealed that he had suffered a personal tragedy just a day before the title clash. He learned during practice that his cousin sister had died in a car accident.

Despite the devastating news, he chose to channel his grief into his performance on the field. Kishan went on to score a crucial half-century in the final and dedicated the innings to her.

“I wasn’t planning to speak about it, but I lost my cousin sister yesterday. She always wanted to see me score big runs,” he said. “Instead of holding back my emotions, I decided the best way to honour her was to perform for the team.”

He also credited Hardik Pandya for helping him stay mentally strong before the high-pressure final.

“I was struggling mentally before the match, but Hardik bhai reminded me that cricket is a team game. He told me we must support each other and play for the team,” Kishan said.

Fuelled by determination and emotion, Kishan carried that motivation into the final, turning his anger and pain into a match-defining performance as India lifted the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy.