The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, December 20, 2025, officially announced India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026. The squad will also feature in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting January 21, serving as preparation for the World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side as captain, with Axar Patel named as vice-captain, his first major leadership assignment in T20Is.
A major talking point was the omission of Shubman Gill from the squad. Once India’s vice-captain in T20Is, Gill was left out of the 15-member team amid form concerns and a desire for flexibility in team combinations, according to selectors.
Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh earned recalls to the T20 setup after impressive domestic performances, and several young talents have found a place in the squad.
India’s Squad for T20 World Cup & New Zealand Series
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Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
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Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)
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Abhishek Sharma
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Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
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Tilak Varma
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Hardik Pandya
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Shivam Dube
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Rinku Singh
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Jasprit Bumrah
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Arshdeep Singh
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Kuldeep Yadav
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Varun Chakravarthy
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Washington Sundar
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Ishan Kishan
(15 members in total)
Selectors said the squad was picked to blend experience with youth, offering batting depth and balanced bowling options. India are the defending T20 World Cup champions and will open their title defence with a match against the United States on February 7 in Mumbai before facing Namibia and Pakistan in crucial group fixtures.
The decision to drop Shubman Gill sparked widespread discussion among fans and commentators, with many debating the merits of recent form versus past achievements.