India T20 World Cup Squad Announcement HIGHLIGHTS: Shubman Gill dropped; Ishan, Rinku back in squad

Shubman Gill, who was India's vice captain in the Asia Cup and the South Africa series, dropped due to poor run with the bat

2:39 PM

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE UPDATES: That's all from the venue

That is all from the India's squad announcement for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and NZ series. India team will now be in rest mode until January of 2026 when they they on Kiwis in limited over cricket series. 

2:34 PM

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE UPDATES: Same squad for NZ series

TheIndian squad announced for T20 World Cup will also feature in five match T20I series vs New Zealand in January next year. 

2:33 PM

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE UPDATES: India's final squad

India’s squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026:

 

Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Washington Sundar, Varun Chakarvarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

 

2:31 PM

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE UPDATES: Tilak to bat at number 3

Suryakumar Yadav has clarified India’s batting blueprint for the upcoming campaign, confirming that Tilak Varma will bat at No. 3 throughout the tournament. The India skipper played down the traditional emphasis on left-right combinations, calling it an overstated factor in modern T20 cricket.

 

Suryakumar explained that the decision was taken after detailed discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir and the batting group, with the focus firmly on role clarity rather than match-ups. He said the team has locked in specific batting positions, with Tilak set at No. 3 and himself at No. 4, allowing the rest of the line-up to be arranged based on comfort and game situations. According to Suryakumar, giving Tilak a defined role is key to ensuring confidence and consistency, as the management wants him to feel settled and clear about expectations in that slot.

2:30 PM

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE UPDATES: No travelling reserves

The Secretary of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), Devajit Saikia confirms that India will not have any stand-by player for the home world cup as they belive all players will be ready in time with no back-up needed.

2:29 PM

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE UPDATES: Agarkar on Axar being named as vice captain

“Shubman was the vice-captain, he's not in the team. Axar was the vice-captain when the T20s used to clash. About continuity, you're looking at combinations. If your keeper is going to bat at the top, you want a keepr who can play there. Jitesh was there, Shubman is a quality player and unfortunate to miss out. Combinations more than anything else, two keepers at the top. Rinku comes who gives that lower middle order option.”

2:11 PM

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE UPDATES: Agarkar on Gill missing out

"Shubman Gill is short of runs at the moment and missed last WC too," Chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

2:08 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: BCCI secretary to make the annoucement

The Secretary of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), Devajit Saikia, will be making the team announcement. He has already taken the seat alongside chief selector and skipper.

2:06 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Press conference underway

The press conference for India's announcement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad is finally underway. Stay tuned to find out India's 15-member squad.

2:01 PM

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE UPDATES: Wait continues

The wait for India's press conference to announce the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad continues, as the two chairs set for the chief selector and the Indian skipper at the venue remain empty.

1:46 PM

India T20 World Cup Squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Press conference delayed

The press conference for India's announcement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad is delayed a little as it was scheduled for 1:30 PM IST. It is already 1:45 PM, and the wait continues. We can expect it to go underway by 2 PM IST.

1:40 PM

India T20 World Cup Squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Selection meeting in-shot

BCCI

1:34 PM

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE UPDATES: Press conference to go underway soon

The press conference for India's announcement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad will be underway in a few moments. Stay tuned to find out India's 15-member squad.

1:20 PM

India T20 World Cup Squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: India unlikely to change existing team

There is a strong possibility that the same 15 players picked for the home series against South Africa will be retained for the New Zealand assignment and even the T20 World Cup that follows. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s name is expected to feature prominently in selection discussions, with the left-hander having established himself as a more adaptable T20 option than both Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson.

1:10 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Agarkar arrives at BCCI HQ

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was spotted at the BCCI headquarters on Saturday, ahead of the selection meeting for India’s T20 commitments. The squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, along with the T20I series against New Zealand scheduled for January, is set to be unveiled jointly by captain Suryakumar Yadav and Agarkar, marking a key moment in India’s build-up to the global tournament.

1:00 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Press conference timing

The press conference for India's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement is scheduled for 1:30 PM IST, i.e. 30 minutes from now.

12:50 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Aakash Chopra on India's probable squad

Explaining the thinking behind Shubman Gill’s selection, Aakash Chopra pointed to continuity in leadership planning. He noted that once a player is named vice-captain, the team management is unlikely to change course abruptly. Chopra added that it would be premature to confirm Gill’s role as deputy, suggesting the side could either keep the vice-captaincy vacant for now or hand it to Hardik Pandya to maintain flexibility going forward.

12:40 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Gill to continue as opener?

At present, the squad appears largely settled with no immediate vacancies, though Shubman Gill’s place has come under scrutiny more than once. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal continues to push his case with strong performances and remains on standby. The selectors could consider adding Jaiswal to the New Zealand series as an extra option, primarily to assess him closely ahead of the marquee tournament to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, should the need arise later.

12:30 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: India's likely squad for T20 World Cup 2026

India squad (Probable): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Verma, Sanju Samon (WK), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakarvarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

12:20 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Will Ishan Kishan make a return?

After a succesful outing at SMAT 2025 that saw Ishan Kishan finishing the tournamnet as leading run scorer and winning captain. Many fans want the southpaw to be included in the World Cup plans. However, with an already stacked up top order, it will be interesting to see weather BCCI look towards him or not.

12:11 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Time running out for Surya

Although there has been no official word from the BCCI, the upcoming global tournament in India may turn out to be Suryakumar Yadav’s final assignment as India’s T20 captain. At 35, the senior batter has struggled for consistency over the past year, enduring a prolonged lean patch. With almost 14 months passing without a significant return across 24 matches, his position in the side appears increasingly tied to his leadership role rather than his performances with the bat.

12:00 PM

India T20 World Cup squad Announcement LIVE UPDATES: Welcome to the live blog

Welcome to the live blog of India's T20 World Cup squad announcement from BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. All eyes will be on India's opening combination, but who are the final 15 players to make the cut? Stay tuned to find out.