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 Selections
- Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
- Wicketkeeper-Batsmen: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan
- Batsmen: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dubey
- All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav
Notable Returns:
Ishan Kishan makes a comeback to the squad after last playing for India on 28 November 2023. Rinku Singh also returns, strengthening India’s batting depth.
Expert Opinion:
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar commented on Gill’s omission, saying, “Shubman is an exceptional player and a brilliant batsman. His recent struggles shouldn’t overshadow his class. He is returning after a long break and wasn’t in rhythm. With the need for quick runs in T20 cricket, it’s challenging, but I’m confident he will bounce back.”
India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad (Live Updates):
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK)
Upcoming Series:
The same squad will also play a 5-match T20 series against New Zealand, ensuring continuity and team cohesion ahead of the World Cup.
Context:
India enters the tournament as the defending champions but has never successfully retained the T20 World Cup title. The team will aim to make history in 2026 while balancing experienced players with emerging talent.
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