Suryakumar Yadav Confirms Ishan Kishan at No.3 as India Prepare for T20 World Cup 2026

India captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed that Ishan Kishan will bat at No.3 in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, marking a significant vote of confidence for the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter who returns to the Indian fold after a lengthy absence.

Kishan's Long-Awaited Return to International Cricket

Ishan Kishan's last appearance in India colours came during the T20I series against Australia in November 2023, making this recall a momentous occasion for the talented batter. His international T20I record stands at 796 runs across 32 matches, averaging 25.67 with an impressive strike rate of 124.37.

Notably, 31 of his 32 T20I innings have come in the top three of the batting order, making him a natural fit for the No.3 position that India are looking to solidify ahead of the home T20 World Cup.

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Captain's Endorsement: "Ishan is Our Best Bet"

Speaking on the eve of the first T20I against New Zealand in Vidarbha, Suryakumar was unequivocal in his support for Kishan.

"Ishan will play at No.3. He is part of our World Cup team. He hasn't played for India in a very long time. He has been doing well in domestic cricket. Since we have picked him in the World Cup team, he deserves to play."

With Tilak Varma unavailable for the series, the Indian captain emphasized that Kishan presents the ideal solution for the crucial middle-order position.

"It would have been a different situation if the question was about No.4 or No.5. Unfortunately, we are missing Tilak, so I feel Ishan is our best bet at No.3."

Suryakumar's Century Milestone and Personal Form

The Indian skipper is set to achieve a remarkable milestone, playing in his 100th T20I for India. However, true to his team-first approach, Suryakumar downplayed any personal celebrations and addressed questions about his own batting form with characteristic humility.

The 35-year-old has endured a challenging stretch in T20Is, without a half-century in his last 22 innings since October 2024. Yet, he remains focused on the collective goal.

"If this was a singles sport, if I was playing table tennis or lawn tennis, then I would have thought about it more. In a team sport, my first responsibility is how the team is playing. If the team is winning, I am happy with that."

Back to Basics: Suryakumar's Approach to Rediscovering Form

The Indian captain revealed that he has returned to the fundamentals that made him one of the most destructive T20 batters in world cricket.

"I thought about what aspects of my batting gave me an identity in T20 cricket. I have worked on all those things. When I came into the Indian team in 2021, I looked at how I used to bat in the last 3-4 years. I thought about it, I understood my game, understood the template of this team, and thought about how we want to play cricket going forward."

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Building Momentum After ODI Series Setback

India head into the T20I series following a 2-1 ODI series defeat to New Zealand. However, Suryakumar views pressure as a motivating factor rather than a burden.

"We have been playing T20 cricket well. There is pressure in any sport, and there is no fun playing without pressure. It creates a different energy and motivates us. I am sure it will be a very good series."

Looking Ahead: India vs New Zealand T20I Series

The first T20I between India and New Zealand takes place in Vidarbha on Wednesday, 21 January 2026. This series serves as crucial preparation for India as they fine-tune their combinations ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which they will host as defending champions.

The Road to T20 World Cup 2026

As defending champions, India carry the weight of expectation into the home World Cup. The decision to back Kishan at No.3 signals the management's intent to give their selected squad members adequate game time and clarity about their roles well before the tournament begins.

With Suryakumar leading from the front despite his own form concerns, and with proven performers like Kishan being given opportunities to stake their claim, India appear to be building a cohesive unit focused on collective success rather than individual glory.