Suryakumar Yadav drops big hint on Ishan Kishan’s role before India’s T20 World Cup opener: ‘Won’t bat below No. 3’

Suryakumar Yadav guaranteed Ishan Kishan's batting position during a press conference ahead of India's T20 World Cup opener.

Published on: Feb 6, 2026, 18:13:26 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson is probably the biggest selection debate ahead of the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. Both wicketkeeper-batters are fighting for the opening slot to partner Abhishek Sharma. Although Kishan has likely sealed it but it will only be known when India takes on USA on Saturday in their T20 World Cup opener. Even India captain Suryakumar Yadav didn't have a direct answer, but he did guarantee his batting position during a press conference ahead of the tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav dropped a huge hint on Ishan Kishan's role. (PTI)

Suryakumar was asked if Kishan's recent form guarantees him the opening slot in India's T20 World Cup opener. The India captain revealed that Kishan would not bat below No. 3 and hoped that he would continue his aggressive approach in the tournament.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi channels EA Cricket ’07 en route to epic 175: Full list of records broken by India’s teen sensation

"Definitely. The way he's played cricket in the last five T20s, it was an international game, so he show a lot. But if you look at the domestic cricket he was playing. The Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20. He batted like this in that too. And he came here and carried the same thing," he said.

"Even though he got an opportunity at number 3, and he opened in the warm-up game yesterday. So I hope he keeps batting like this. Whatever position he plays. He won't play below 3, but whatever opportunity he gets, he'll keep batting like this," he added.

Kishan opened the innings with Abhishek in India's warm-up game against South Africa, and Samson didn't even get a chance. He justified the decision with a blazing knock of 53 off 20 balls, laced with two fours and seven sixes, before retiring out.

Samson was in poor form in the New Zealand T20I series, getting only 46 runs in five innings. Meanwhile, Kishan smashed 215 runs in four innings at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 231.18. He also got a century in the fifth T20I.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.