Ishan Kishan named Jharkhand captain as India stars return to Vijay Hazare Trophy

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been named captain of Jharkhand for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite (VHT) 2025/26, while several senior Indian internationals, including Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, are set to feature in the premier domestic 50-over competition as part of the BCCI’s push to strengthen domestic participation.

The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) confirmed Kishan’s appointment ahead of the tournament, which begins on December 24. Jharkhand will open their campaign against Karnataka in Ahmedabad. The squad named for the season blends experience and youth, featuring the likes of Kumar Kushagra, Anukul Roy, Robin Minz, Abhinav Sharan and Virat Singh, as the side looks to build on its growing stature in white-ball cricket.

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Kishan’s elevation to the captaincy follows a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 campaign, where he led Jharkhand to their maiden SMAT title. The left-handed batter was in outstanding form throughout the tournament, scoring 517 runs from 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 a commanding 101 guided Jharkhand to a historic triumph.

Those performances have also paved the way for Kishan’s return to the national setup. He has been recalled to India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as the second-choice wicketkeeper-batter behind Sanju Samson, marking his comeback on the back of sustained domestic excellence.

“He bats at the top in white-ball cricket. He’s been in good form. He’s played before for India. He has a double hundred in one-day cricket. He wasn’t in the Indian team because there’s a Rishabh Pant and a Dhruv Jurel ahead. They’re two pretty good players,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar said while announcing the T20 World Cup squad.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed that India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube have informed the board of their availability for two Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures scheduled for January 6 and 8. Mumbai’s campaign begins in Jaipur on December 24, with their opening league match against Sikkim, followed by a clash with Uttarakhand on December 26.

As per a report, Suryakumar and Dube are set to feature in Mumbai’s matches against Himachal Pradesh on January 6 and Punjab on January 8. Their names will be added to the squad closer to those fixtures.

“Surya and Dube have informed us that they will be playing two Vijay Hazare Trophy games on January 6th and 8th. Their names will be added in the Mumbai squad. As far as Rohit Sharma is concerned, he will be playing two league games at the moment,” an MCA official said.

All players who were part of India’s recent 3-1 T20I series win over South Africa have been directed by the BCCI to play at least two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The directive continues the board’s emphasis on ensuring international players remain engaged with the domestic structure.

Earlier this year, Agarkar reiterated the importance of internationals turning out in domestic competitions whenever possible. “I think we made it clear a year or a couple of years back that whenever players are available, they should be playing domestic cricket. I mean, that’s the only way you’ll keep yourself sharp and playing cricket, if you’ve got a long enough break. Whether that’s possible with the international cricket you’re playing or not, that only time will tell, but if the guys are free, they should be playing domestic cricket,” he said.

The Indian T20I squad is set to enjoy a short break before regrouping in Nagpur for the first of five T20Is against New Zealand on January 21, which will serve as their final assignment ahead of the T20 World Cup. India will begin their title defence against the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 7.