India is set to announce its squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup on Saturday, December 20, just a day after its final international fixture of 2025 — the fifth T20I against South Africa at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Although India will play a T20I series against New Zealand before the World Cup, the same squad is expected to be retained for both assignments. The five-match series against the Black Caps will be played from December 21 to 31. The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, begins on February 7, with the final scheduled for March 8.

India enter the tournament as defending champions and have been dominant in T20Is since their 2024 title win. Under captain Suryakumar Yadav, who took over following the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, India have won 30 of their 34 matches since July 2024, with four defeats, including two Super Over losses. Two recent matches in Australia were washed out.

Given the team’s strong run, major changes are unlikely. Shubman Gill is expected to be picked despite criticism over his form since returning from injury. Suryakumar Yadav is also set to retain the captaincy despite a lean year with the bat. Abhishek Sharma is likely to open alongside Gill, leaving Yashasvi Jaiswal out. Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are expected to be the wicketkeeper options, while Ishan Kishan has impressed domestically but may miss out.

Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are expected to feature as all-rounders. Rinku Singh is likely to miss a second straight World Cup. The bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, with Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana also expected to be selected.

Probables: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson (WK Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

Excitement builds

With less than two months remaining before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee is set to meet at its Mumbai headquarters on Saturday to finalise India’s squad for the marquee tournament.

During the meeting, the selection committee will also announce India’s squad for the next month’s white-ball series, comprising three ODIs and five T20Is, against New Zealand at home.

Team India is currently participating in a five-match T20I series against South Africa at home, with the final game of the series scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad on Friday.

"The Senior Men’s Selection Committee will meet at the BCCI Headquarters in Mumbai, on Saturday, to pick India’s squad for the T20I series against New Zealand and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It will be followed by a press conference to be addressed by captain Suryakumar Yadav and selection committee chairperson Ajit Agarkar," BCCI said on Friday.

Before the T20 World Cup, starting from February, India will host New Zealand for a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and five T20Is, scheduled from January 11 to 31.

The 10th edition of the global event will feature 20 teams, comprising 29 days of high-intensity cricket played at eight venues across India and Sri Lanka, commencing on February 7.

Defending champions India have been placed in Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, the Netherlands, and former winners Pakistan.

India is the co-host of the tournament along with Sri Lanka and will play its group matches across four venues -- Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, and Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

The Indian team will take on the USA in Mumbai in its tournament opener as it sets out to become the first team to defend the Men’s T20 World Cup crown.

Two-time World T20 champion India had won the inaugural edition in 2007 in South Africa. (With inputs from Agencies)