![R Sai Kishore on GT snub in IPL 2026 [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1785765664737_RSaiKishoreGujaratTitans.jpg?type=hq)
R Sai Kishore on GT snub in IPL 2026 [Source: AFP]
R Sai Kishore has been one of the most prominent spinners in India for the last 6-7 years. The tall left-arm orthodox spinner remained on the fringes of the India setup, but never really broke into the team due to established names ahead in the pecking order.
He received his coveted India cap in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, but he has not had another chance to play for the Men in Blue since 2023. He became a regular fixture for the Gujarat Titans, but the 2026 season came as a shock for him, as he played only 3 matches in their run to the final.
Nonetheless, in a recent interview, he took responsibility and explained why he struggled to find any game time.
R Sai Kishore opens up on IPL 2026 snub at GT
Since Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement, a spot has opened up in the Indian team, with several candidates given an opportunity. Ideally, R Sai Kishore, who captains Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, should be a name in the reckoning.
However, the player sustained a finger injury ahead of the 2025/26 domestic season, which required surgery. Looking at the open spot for a spinner, Sai Kishore admitted to having gotten carried away and rushed his return to the field.
“I think, on hindsight, when I reflect, more than anything, I should have given myself more time to come back to cricket from my surgery. In the domestic season, especially till the end of Vijay Hazare, I was still getting to my full fitness. I think I shouldn't have done it at that time,” Sai Kishore told Cricbuzz.
"I should've waited some more time. Maybe 3-4 weeks more to push myself back into cricket. Because I got tempted by a lot of selections going around. I got tempted to play a little quickly. I think, in hindsight, I shouldn't have done that," he added.
As a result, his performances in the season were affected. This coincided with Manav Suthar’s rise, and the Rajasthan spinner leapfrogged Sai Kishore in GT’s pecking order and subsequently also played for India in Tests.
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R Sai Kishore at GT in numbers
Having spent a lot of time on the CSK bench due to Ravindra Jadeja’s presence, R Sai Kishore got his first IPL break at the age of 25, when he was bought by GT in IPL 2022.
In the first couple of seasons, he played five matches each for them, picking 6 and 7 wickets, respectively. IPL 2025 turned out to be the breakthrough season for him, as he played 15 matches and picked 19 wickets for the Gujarat-based team.
Due to Rashid Khan’s dip in form, Sai Kishore was their best spinner and second-highest wicket-taker in the season, conceding at 9.24 runs per over. In 2026, he only bowled in 2 matches and picked a solitary wicket.
Overall, he has picked 33 wickets in 28 matches for them, with 4/33 as his best figures. His economy rate reads 8.99 runs per over.
What’s next for Sai Kishore?
The left-arm spinner currently finds himself in a precarious situation at GT. While he continues to be the main man for Tamil Nadu, he could be looking at the way out of the GT setup, with Manav Suthar doing well in the same position.
The next move — potentially a trade or release in the auction — could be the most important move for him. He is 29 and entering the last few years of his prime as a cricketer; hence, he will look for opportunities elsewhere and play more regularly if he wants to fulfil his India dream.
Notably, R Sai Kishore could also be on CSK's radar and a potential return is also on the cards as Ravindra Jadeja's replacement.
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