Scored 269 but NOT SELECTED...! Gambhir Drops THIS TALENTED OPENER Yet Again From India Squad

Left-handed batter Ishan Kishan has emerged as the most explosive performer of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, delivering multiple game-changing innings for Jharkhand. One of the highlights of his batting was an unbeaten 113 from only 50 deliveries. The Jharkhand skipper struck 8 sixes and 10 fours against Tripura and chased down a target of 182 with ease, courtesy of his knock.

Across the group phase, he has maintained an aggressive scoring rate with a strike rate of nearly 200 and sits among the competition’s leading run-scorers with 269 runs off just five matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy so far. Kishan is among the best wicketkeepers in India but has found it tough to be back in the Indian team.

Ishan Kishan Dropped Again from Team India T20 Squad for South Africa T20Is

Ishan Kishan Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy performance in the ongoing 2025 season has been exceptional as he has smashed 269 runs in just five matches, yet he is not in the discussion for the squad selection in international cricket. The team management and the national selectors have sidelined him for quite some time now, even after his consistent domestic performances.

Fans are even expecting the Indian team's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, to be responsible for the omission of Ishan Kishan from the national side. Kishan was dropped from the BCCI central contracts at the start of 2024 after he opted out of domestic fixtures, going against the board’s decision. He made his comeback in IPL 2024 and 2025 and later rejoined Jharkhand’s domestic setup. His return to regular cricket helped him earn a spot back in the BCCI’s central contract list for 2025.

Across formats, the left-hander has put up impressive numbers; he has scored 933 ODI runs at an average of 42.40, including a double hundred, and has 796 T20I runs to his name, featuring six half-centuries. Ishan Kishan SMAT 2025 and other domestic performances will make a stronger statement to the selectors, and that's the best a player can do from their end. Hopefully, his consistent knocks will appeal to the management and selectors for future opportunities in the national side.

Team India Squad for South Africa T20 Series 2025

Team India recently announced their 15-man T20 squad for the South Africa series beginning December 9. Suryakumar Yadav continues as captain, while Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain, though the final call on his availability will depend on a late fitness assessment after his recent neck issue.

Hardik Pandya’s return is a major boost for the team, with the all-rounder recalled on the back of a strong Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy showing for Baroda. Jasprit Bumrah, who is arguably the best bowler in the world, once again leads the pace unit, and the spin department also looks strong with Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy providing different styles against South Africa’s aggressive batting lineup.

The selectors have made a few bold calls, including leaving out Rinku Singh for this series. Overall, the squad looks designed not just for this five-match series but also as a preparation towards finalising India’s team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in February 2026.

India Squad for South Africa T20I Series

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC)*, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.