India squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar leads, Axar deputy, Sanju Samson included
Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to get underway on February 7, signalling the start of a new era for the defending champions.
Suryakumar Yadav has been named captain of the side, with all-rounder Axar Patel appointed vice-captain.
The squad also features Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as wicketkeeping options, while a strong core of all-rounders and specialist bowlers underlines India’s intent to continue with an aggressive, flexible approach.
One of the biggest talking points from the announcement was the omission of Shubman Gill, a decision that chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified was based on team combination rather than form or ability.
“Shubman, we know what a quality player he is. Perhaps short of a little bit of runs at the moment. Unfortunately, he missed out in the last World Cup as well because we went with a different combination. It’s the combinations more than anything else. Someone has to miss out when you pick 15, and unfortunately, it’s Gill at this point,” Agarkar said.
India will be aiming to make history in the tournament by becoming the first team to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title.
However, the campaign will also mark a major transition phase, with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja missing after retiring from T20 internationals following India’s title win in 2024.
Despite the absence of the senior trio, the selectors have backed a dynamic squad featuring Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh, blending experience with youthful firepower.
India will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7, before facing Namibia in Delhi on February 12.
India Squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah