Mumbai, December 20, 2025 – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, to be held in India and Sri Lanka. The selection, filled with surprises, sees Suryakumar Yadav leading the side, with Axar Patel named as his deputy.

The most notable exclusion is that of Shubman Gill, who was the vice-captain in the T20I setup. Gill's recent form has been a concern, with inconsistent performances in the T20 format. While he has shown promise in Tests and ODIs, his T20 form has been underwhelming, leading to his omission. In IPL 2025, Gill scored 650 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 155.8. However, his recent T20I form has been patchy, with the selectors opting for other players. Ajit Agarkar, the selection committee chairperson, stated that Gill was "short of runs at the moment".

In contrast, Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan have earned their places in the squad. Rinku Singh, known for his finishing abilities, has been included. While Rinku Singh had an underwhelming IPL 2025 season, scoring just 206 runs in 13 matches, his past performances and potential as a finisher have secured his spot.

Ishan Kishan's inclusion comes on the back of a strong domestic season and his explosive batting style. Kishan recently led Jharkhand to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, scoring a blistering century in the final. He finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer with 517 runs at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of 197.33. In IPL 2025, Kishan played 13 matches and scored 354 runs, including a century. "With the team management planning to return to their original composition of playing a wicketkeeper at the top".

The squad also sees the inclusion of Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, who have impressed with their consistent performances in domestic and international cricket. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube provide all-round options, while Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana lead the pace attack. The spin department will be handled by Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Sanju Samson has been included as a second wicket-keeping option.

India's Squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

• Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
• Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)
• Abhishek Sharma
• Tilak Varma
• Hardik Pandya
• Shivam Dube
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Arshdeep Singh
• Varun Chakravarthy
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Harshit Rana
• Sanju Samson (Wicket-keeper)
• Washington Sundar
• Ishan Kishan (Wicket-keeper)
• Rinku Singh

The team will aim to utilize the home advantage and the experience of senior players to clinch the title. The T20 World Cup 2026 promises to be an exciting tournament with India looking to add another trophy to their cabinet.