BCCI announced Team India squad for upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The All-India Senior Selection Committee met today to pick India’s squads for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Same Squad will play the upcoming 5-Match T20i Series against New Zealand. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 15-man squad for the mega-event from the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai Today.
Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead India in his first-ever ICC tournament as captain, with Axar Patel named as his deputy in the absence of star batter Shubman Gill, who was dropped after lean performances upon his return to the T20I setup in September. Gill was vice-captain of the squad until the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, and Jitesh Sharma, have missed the cut.
🚨India’s squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 announced 🚨
Let's cheer for the defending champions 💪#TeamIndia | #MenInBlue | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/7CpjGh60vk
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 20, 2025
Fiery opener Abhishek Sharma, who has a strike rate of 188.02 in the format, is expected to open the side, with Sanju Samson expected to partner him. Ishan Kishan, who last played a T20I for India in 2023, has been brought in as the backup opener and wicketkeeper. Kishan has been rewarded for his sterling campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s domestic T20 tournament, where he led Jharkhand to the title while top-scoring with 517 runs in 10 matches at an average of 57.44 and a whirlwind strike rate of 197.32.
Axar Patel was vice-captain of the Indian T20I squad until the conclusion of the five-match T20I series against England in January and February before Gill took over the role in India’s next T20I assignment at the Asia Cup in September, this year. Gill remained the deputy for Suryakumar in the subsequent Australia and South Africa series as well, but Axar will now take over. Shubman Gill had missed the last two T20Is due to a foot injury which he suffered in the nets ahead of the abandoned T20I in Lucknow. But it wasn’t a fruitful year for Gill in T20Is scoring just 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25 and striking at 137.26 with no fifties or hundreds to show for his efforts. On the other hand, since the 2024 T20 World Cup, Sanju Samson has often featured at the top and averages 32.90 with a strike rate closing in on 160.
India’s squad for T20I series against NZ announced & ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK)
Besides Gill’s form, the selectors also took into consideration the combinations they were looking for in the T20 World Cup.
“You’re looking at combinations at the moment,” Ajit Agarkar said. “If your keeper (Sanju Samson) is going to bat at the top, our thought was to have another keeper [Ishan Kishan], just in case. At the moment, Jitesh was there, and hadn’t done too much wrong. We know what a quality player he is, perhaps out of runs at the moment. Unfortunate to miss out on the last World Cup as well, because we went with a different combination. But it’s the combination more than anything else. Two keepers at the top, that’s the way we want to try it. Rinku, who gives us a little bit more depth lower down the order. It’s all about combinations, someone’s going to miss out when you pick a 15, and unfortunately, it’s Gill at this point.”
Suryakumar, along with a returning Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube, will comprise India’s strong middle-order. The bowling composition includes three frontline pacers and two frontline spinners. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack while Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are the other two fast bowlers. The spinners include Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav. Ahead of India attempting to defend their T20 World Cup, India will face New Zealand for three ODIs and five T20Is. The T20I series will be played from January 21 to January 31 in preparation for the marquee event. The squad for the three ODIs, which will be played from January 11 to January 18, will be announced at a later date.
A big surprise call as Shubman Gill misses out from India's #T20WorldCup squad 😮
Details ➡️ https://t.co/Q1I2tHxsjP pic.twitter.com/4NM6kXKein
— ICC (@ICC) December 20, 2025
Durgesh Tiwary’s View: As per my view this is best Team India squad selected by Ajit Agarkar and for the first time he has impressed with his bold decision. I never thought that Gill will be not part of T20 World Cup despite being vice-captain of team in recent South Africa Series.
I am surprised by the exclusion of Jitesh Sharma from the squad as he was impressive in his limited chance, but 15 members squad cannot have more than 2 wicket keepers. Ishan Kishan recent form and his experience of batting at the top have helped me to make his comeback. Although he will be remain second choice opener and wicketkeeper.
I have only concern as of now is Suryakumar Yadav batting. SKY disappoints this year and unable to contribute with his bat. I have seen his beast mode in this shortest format and hopefully his form will be back in upcoming New Zealand Series. I am sharing my playing XI. Do share your thoughts on this squad and also share your playing XI.
My Playing XI for World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy
🚨 SQUAD ALERT 🚨
Team India has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC #T20WorldCup 2026! 😮
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 20, 2025
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