Sports

The Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been officially announced. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting on 7 February 2026, with the final scheduled for 8 March 2026.In a major surprise, Shubman Gill has been left out of the squad despite being considered a potential future captain and former vice-captain. Gill’s exclusion comes due to a prolonged dip in form; he has struggled to score runs consistently in recent T20 internationals and could not register a fifty since returning from the Asia Cup.Team Highlights and Key SelectionsCaptain: Suryakumar YadavWicketkeeper-Batsmen: Sanju Samson, Ishan KishanBatsmen: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam DubeyAll-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar PatelBowlers: Ja...

The Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been announced, and in a surprising move, Shubman Gill has been left out, while Axar Patel has been reinstated as vice-captain. The announcement was made by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia in a press conference, with Suryakumar Yadav appointed as captain of the 15-member squad.Why Shubman Gill Was DroppedShubman Gill, a key figure in India’s Test and ODI setups, was previously made T20 vice-captain ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Many had anticipated that he would eventually take over leadership in the T20 format. However, his continued poor performances in T20 cricket led selectors to take a cautious approach for the World Cup.Gill’s recent T20 statistics reflect his struggles: in the last 15 matches, he has scored just 291 runs at ...

The Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been officially announced. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting on 7 February 2026, with the final scheduled for 8 March 2026.In a major surprise, Shubman Gill has been left out of the squad despite being considered a potential future captain and former vice-captain. Gill’s exclusion comes due to a prolonged dip in form; he has struggled to score runs consistently in recent T20 internationals and could not register a fifty since returning from the Asia Cup.Team Highlights and Key SelectionsCaptain: Suryakumar YadavWicketkeeper-Batsmen: Sanju Samson, Ishan KishanBatsmen: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam DubeyAll-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar PatelBowlers: Ja...

New Delhi: The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been announced, with Suryakumar Yadav appointed as captain. Star opener Shubman Gill has been dropped from the team due to a prolonged dip in form.Gill Struggled with Poor FormGill had been struggling in the T20 format for some time, prompting the selection committee to make a tough decision. Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors, explained in simple terms: “Gill has been struggling to score runs, and we needed a vice-captain in the squad.”In Gill’s absence, all-rounder Axar Patel has been named vice-captain. Sanju Samson will continue as the primary wicketkeeper-batsman, while Abhishek Sharma is expected to open alongside Tilak Varma. Ishan Kishan returns as the second wicketkeeper and reserve opener following an outstanding...

New Delhi: The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been announced, with Suryakumar Yadav set to lead a 15-member team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified why no standby or reserve players have been named for the tournament.No Standby Players for the Home TournamentTraditionally, ICC events include standby or reserve players who can replace injured squad members during the tournament. In the last T20 World Cup, Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan were named as standby players. Similarly, for the Champions Trophy, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammad Siraj, and Shivam Dubey were on standby.However, BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia explained during a press conference that for this T20 World Cup, which is being held in India, the board has cho...

Mumbai: The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been announced, with Suryakumar Yadav leading a 15-member team. The tournament, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will begin on 7 February. While some selections were widely anticipated, a few notable players have surprisingly missed out despite having proven match-winning capabilities.Here are 5 key players left out of the squad:1. Yashasvi JaiswalJaiswal has scored 723 runs in 22 T20 International innings for India, averaging 36 with a strike rate of 164. He was the backup opener in the last T20 World Cup but has been surprisingly dropped this time.2. Mohammad SirajSiraj was part of India’s previous T20 World Cup-winning squad and featured in the early matches. However, due to pitch conditions in the West Indies leg...

New Delhi: The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been announced, bringing with it some surprising changes. Star players Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma have been left out, while Ishan Kishan makes a sensational return to the team after a gap of nearly two years.Ishan Kishan Shines in SMAT 2025Kishan’s comeback is a result of his outstanding performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025. Leading Jharkhand as captain, he scored 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of nearly 200, including a century in the final. His exceptional form made his inclusion in the World Cup squad inevitable after long-standing public demand.Must Prove Himself in Upcoming SeriesHowever, Kishan’s place in the T20 World Cup squad is not yet guaranteed. Team selecto...

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 15-member Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, while Shubman Gill has been dropped following a string of low scores since his comeback in the Asia Cup.Changes and Key ReturnsShubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma have been left out of the squad. In their place, Axar Patel has been named vice-captain, and Ishan Kishan makes a comeback after a stellar performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he led Jharkhand to the title and scored a century in the final. Kishan will serve as a backup wicketkeeper and an opening option.Rinku Singh, who was sidelined during the South Africa series, also returns to the squad. O...

The BCCI selection committee is set to announce India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 today, Saturday, 20 December 2025. Reports suggest that this may be Suryakumar Yadav’s last tournament as captain, as the 35-year-old has been out of form for nearly 14 months and 24 matches. According to insiders, Yadav currently retains his place in the team primarily due to his captaincy. Had the tournament been scheduled six months later, selectors might have considered other leadership options.Form Concerns for Captain and Vice-CaptainSelectors’ primary concern is the current form of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill. Both key batsmen have struggled to score runs in recent matches. While Gill’s place has been questioned repeatedly, in-form youngsters like Yashasv...

For Indian cricket fans, today is a landmark moment as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting on 7 February, with the final scheduled for 8 March.Selectors’ Meeting UnderwayChief selector Ajit Agarkar, along with team captain Suryakumar Yadav, attended the BCCI headquarters for the squad finalization. The meeting, originally scheduled to start earlier, was slightly delayed as Yadav could not reach Mumbai from Ahmedabad on time. Secretary Devjit Saikia was also present alongside the selectors.Preparation for New ChallengesTo prepare for the T20 World Cup, India will face New Zealand in a five-match T20I series on 21, 23, 25, 28, and 31 January. Th...