The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced a 15-player squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, delivering a major surprise by excluding Shubman Gill from the marquee tournament scheduled between February 7 and March 8. The same squad will also represent India in the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand from January 21 to 31.

Axar Patel has been elevated to the role of vice-captain, while Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh have earned a return to the national side following strong domestic performances, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The squad was finalised after deliberations by the BCCI Senior Men’s Selection Committee at the board’s Mumbai headquarters. The announcement was made by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, followed by a media interaction featuring captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Sanju Samson will continue as India’s primary wicketkeeper, with Kishan selected as the second option. Samson recently crossed the 1,000-run mark in T20 internationals and joined an elite list of Indians with over 8,000 T20 runs. Jitesh Sharma, however, has been dropped after modest returns in the recent South Africa series.

Gill Loses Out After Lean T20 Run

Gill’s omission marks a significant fall from grace in the shortest format. Despite once being viewed as a leadership prospect in T20Is, the opener struggled for consistency, scoring 291 runs in 15 matches this year at an average of just over 24, without a single half-century. His difficulties were compounded by a foot injury that ruled him out of the final two matches against South Africa. While Gill remains a mainstay in Tests and ODIs, his T20 form failed to convince the selectors.

Kishan’s Domestic Heroics Pay Off

Kishan’s return comes after a long absence from the T20I setup, his last appearance dating back to November 2023. He dominated the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, finishing as the tournament’s top run-getter with 517 runs in 10 innings at a blistering strike rate. His standout moment came in the final, where his explosive century powered Jharkhand to their maiden title.

Rinku Back in the Mix

Rinku Singh has also found his way back into the squad, strengthening India’s finishing options. Though his domestic numbers were modest, his proven international record as a lower-order enforcer tilted the balance in his favour. After missing out on the previous T20 World Cup squad, this selection marks a significant opportunity for the left-hander.

Abhishek Sharma in the Spotlight

The World Cup will also mark Abhishek Sharma’s first appearance on the global T20 stage. Since his debut, he has emerged as one of India’s most destructive batters, even surpassing Suryakumar Yadav to become the fastest Indian to reach 1,000 T20I runs in terms of balls faced. His prolific run in the Asia Cup earlier this year further cemented his place.

Balanced Bowling Unit

India’s bowling attack will once again revolve around Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, supported by emerging pacer Harshit Rana. The spin department features Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, with Axar Patel offering depth as an all-rounder. Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube provide additional balance to the squad.

Build-Up to the World Cup

India enter the tournament on the back of a strong run in bilateral T20Is, including a recent series win over South Africa. The New Zealand series will serve as the final rehearsal before the World Cup begins, with India opening their campaign against the United States in Mumbai.

India’s Squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup & New Zealand T20Is:

Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan.