The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced a 15-member squad for the crucial 2026 T20 World Cup, which is set to get underway from February 7. The team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will also have a new vice-captain, with Axar Patel appointed to the role after Shubman Gill was left out of the squad.
The same group of players will represent India in the upcoming five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, starting January 21. The squad was finalised following a meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai involving chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Suryakumar Yadav, and was officially unveiled at a press conference soon after.
Most of the players who featured in India’s recent T20I series against Australia and South Africa have been retained in the squad for the T20 World Cup as well. At the top of the order, India will rely on Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, with Shubman Gill missing out on selection.
The middle order, headed by captain Suryakumar Yadav, also features Tilak Varma, while Jitesh Sharma has been left out. The Men in Blue boast strong all-round depth, with Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya all included to strengthen the lower middle order and provide balance in both batting and bowling.
As far as the spin department is concerned, India have backed the dependable duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, while the pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, alongside Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
Wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan has earned a recall following his impressive performances in the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and hard-hitting batter Rinku Singh has also been included in the main squad after missing the home series against South Africa.
Team India squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan, Harshit Rana
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
