Ishan Kishan has been in superb form with the bat ever since he returned to the India National Cricket Team, and Wasim Jaffer believes that the comeback did not happen by chance.
The former Indian opener feels the former captain Suryakumar Yadav and the selectors deserve a lot of credit for backing Ishan Kishan when he was performing well in domestic cricket. Amid this, Abhishek Sharma joins Vinoo Mankad, Ravi Shastri in elite group after 3/17 bowling spell vs Zimbabwe.
Ishan Kishan’s incredible turnaround
Ishan Kishan has been in outstanding form after returning to the India National Cricket Team earlier this year under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy. After playing a 35-run knock in the first T20I, the left-handed batter made a strong comeback in the second T20I against Zimbabwe on July 25. Amid this, Ex-India opener defends Tilak Varma after unbeaten fifty vs Zimbabwe.
He smashed 81 runs off just 44 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes at the Harare Sports Club. His attacking knock helped India post 219/5, and then the bowlers did a brilliant job by restricting Zimbabwe to just 129 as India sealed the T20I series with a huge 90-run win in the second game.
After Ishan Kishan was adjudged Player of the Match for his stunning efforts, Wasim Jaffer said the Indian wicketkeeper-batter has made full use of the chance given to him after staying away from the international arena for almost two years. Ishan had even lost the BCCI contract after he refused to play domestic cricket and returned from the middle of the South Africa tour.
Wasim Jaffer credits Suryakumar Yadav for Ishan Kishan’s dream comeback
However, the left-hander worked hard in domestic cricket and made a stunning return to the national side. The numbers also show Ishan’s excellent form. In 2026, he has so far scored 783 runs in 22 T20I innings at an average of 35.59 and a strike rate of 180.83 with the help of one century and six fifties.
Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube channel, “Credit should also be given to Suryakumar Yadav, and the selectors deserve praise as well for acknowledging his domestic performances. Ishan has repaid the faith they showed in him.
I think he has been a fantastic addition right from the World Cup, and long may it continue. He’s in excellent form, and all of us would want him to continue like this for a long time. Ishan Kishan is going through a purple patch, whether it’s the World Cup, the IPL, or even after that.”
The cricket pundit also mentioned that the Indian wicketkeeper-batter is now playing with much more confidence and looks comfortable at the international level. He also praised the team management for giving Ishan the No. 3 spot, saying the left-hander has settled well in that role.
Jaffer added, “He’s batting with tremendous confidence. His leg-side game has always been strong, but I feel that the kind of confidence required at the international level is now clearly visible in Ishan Kishan. The management has also shown faith in him by giving him the No. 3 batting position, which is an excellent spot in the batting order, and he’s making the most of it.”
Wasim Jaffer issues big warning to Shreyas Iyer
After losing the T20I series in Ireland and England, India clinched the first series under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy after their dominant win over Zimbabwe in the second T20I. Jaffer said Iyer has already proved his captaincy skills in the IPL, so there are no doubts about his leadership.
He signed off by saying, “However, there are much bigger challenges coming up, whether it’s New Zealand, Australia, or the other tough opponents we’ll face. I think that’s when we’ll truly see how this team performs.”