'He might actually start at T20 World Cup' - Aakash Chopra's bold take on India's comeback star

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels he won't be surprised to see Ishan Kishan start in India's XI during the T20 World Cup 2026. Kishan was recently recalled to India's T20I squad for the series against New Zealand as well as the T20 World Cup.

Chopra highlighted that Kishan is well accustomed to bat at the top of the order, and also provided a few instances of the left-handed batter succeeding in his endeavours. Chopra backed Kishan to come good in the New Zealand T20I series and be a crucial

part of the Men in Blue's batting lineup at the mega event.

"If you're thinking No.3 is not his natural position and he is an opener, he has opened for Jharkhand and Mumbai Indians and has always opened the innings. But he prepared for No.3 in IPL 2025 because when SRH picked him for a lot of money, he played at No. 3 and hit a ton in the first game. He has been taught what the requirement is for a No.3 batter. I won't be surprised. Given how the last few weeks have panned out for him, I won't be surprised if he does well and in the T20 World Cup, he might start in the XI come the 7th of February because it seems God is writing Kishan's script. When God does it, he writes it well," shared Chopra in a video shared on X.

From being left out of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's annual contracts to grinding it out in the domestic circuit, Kishan's story has been a one filled with grit and determination. He recently led from the front to win Jharkhand the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, also emerging as the edition's highest run-getter with 517 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 197.32.

Kishan last played for India in November 2023. Other than a couple of Tests and 27 ODIs, the southpaw has played 32 T20Is as well. Kishan has scored 796 runs in T20Is. Many eyeballs will be on him as India kickstart their T20I series against the Kiwis on January 21.