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
India T20 World Cup squad announcement HIGHLIGHTS
With under 50 days left for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, defending champions and co-hosts India on Saturday revealed their 15-member squad at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The announcement was made during a press conference addressed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia formally reading out the final squad. The decision marks a crucial step in India’s preparations for the global event.
The selection featured a major surprise as Shubman Gill, India’s T20I vice-captain, was left out of the squad. Ishan Kishan has been drafted in as his replacement, while Axar Patel has been elevated to the role of vice-captain for the tournament. Rinku Singh also earned a recall after missing the South Africa series, coming in for Jitesh Sharma, as the team management looks to strengthen its finishing options.
Suryakumar Yadav will continue to lead the side, with Jasprit Bumrah once again entrusted with spearheading the pace attack. India have opted for a balanced squad with a strong emphasis on all-round depth. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will serve as the pace-bowling all-rounders, while Axar Patel and Washington Sundar add flexibility with their spin and batting abilities.
The spin department will be led by Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, a duo that has consistently proved effective in Indian conditions by controlling the middle overs and breaking partnerships. The pace unit features Bumrah alongside Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, giving India three specialist fast bowlers.
In the batting line-up, Abhishek Sharma is expected to headline the top order, likely partnering Sanju Samson, with Kishan providing cover as opener and wicketkeeper. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma are set to anchor the middle order, while Rinku Singh is likely to take on the finisher’s role. The same squad will also represent India in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in January 2026.
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
2:39 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.
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First Published: Dec 20 2025 | 12:01 PM IST
