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New Delhi: Star India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin reflected on Ishan Kishans recall to the national team describing the wicketkeeper-batters inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup as a gift earned through his perseverance and respect for the game. Ashwin stated that Kishans return is the outcome of hard work behind the scenes letting his performances speak for themselves. He believes cricket has recognized Kishan for the way he carried himself during a tough period in his career. This is a gift that cricket has given to Ishan Kishan. Many people from outside can guess what it is and some may say its unfair. But life comes back in circles. The reason Ishan was not in the team earlier and how he has come back now has only one reason. He has given cricket the respect it deserves Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. Kishan has been picked after an impressive SMAT 2025 campaign Kishan has been picked in the 15-member squad as a backup wicketkeeper-batter after an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 campaign where he played a crucial role in Jharkhands maiden title triumph. He ended the tournament as the highest run-scorer as he scored 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate exceeding 197 which included two centuries one of which came in the high-pressure final against Haryana. The left-hander makes his return to Indias T20I squad for the first time since late 2023 having earned his spot through consistent performances in domestic cricket. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the 15-member World Cup squad while vice-captain Shubman Gill misses out due to fitness and form concerns. Axar Patel has replced Gill as vice-captain. Ashwin also emphasized on Kishans domestic efforts Ashwin also emphasized on Kishans domestic efforts highlighting his performances in tournaments such as the Buchi Babu Trophy and his Ranji Trophy preparations as crucial to his comeback. He played in the Buchi Babu Trophy. A player like Ishan Kishan came and represented Jharkhand in the tournament held in Chennai. He was the number one performer in Ranji Trophy preparations... he went through the yards of the game respected the game and hence succeeded Ashwin added. India have been placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup alongside arc-rivals Pakistan the Netherlands Namibia and the USA. Their campaign is set to start on February 7 in Mumbai against the USA.