Defending champions and co-hosts India have announced their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7. The hosts will enter the tournament aiming to secure a record third T20 World Cup title.

Suryakumar Yadav has been named captain for the tournament, marking his first leadership role in an ICC event, with all-rounder Axar Patel appointed as his deputy. The announcement was headlined by the omission of star batter Shubman Gill, who was previously named T20I vice-captain for the Asia Cup. Since his return to the T20I setup in September, Gill managed only 291 runs at an average of 24.25, which ultimately cost him a place in the final squad.

Fiery opener Abhishek Sharma, who boasts an impressive strike rate of 188.02 in T20 internationals, is expected to open the batting. He is likely to be partnered by Sanju Samson, who has frequently featured at the top of the order since the 2024 T20 World Cup and averages 32.90 with a strike rate close to 160.

Ishan Kishan, who last represented India in T20Is in 2023, has been recalled as the backup opener and wicketkeeper. The left-hander earned his selection following a stellar campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s premier domestic T20 competition, where he captained Jharkhand to the title. Kishan finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 517 runs in 10 matches, averaging 57.44 at a blistering strike rate of 197.32.

Explaining the selection decisions, chief selector Ajit Agarkar highlighted the importance of team balance and combinations. “You’re looking at combinations at the moment,” Agarkar said. “If your keeper (Sanju Samson) is going to bat at the top, our thought was to have another keeper [Ishan Kishan], just in case.”

Agarkar also addressed the exclusion of Jitesh Sharma, who featured in the recent T20I series against South Africa. “At the moment, Jitesh was there and hadn’t done too much wrong. We know what a quality player he is, perhaps out of runs at the moment. But it’s the combination more than anything else,” he explained, adding that selecting a balanced 15 inevitably meant some players would miss out, with Gill being the unfortunate one on this occasion.

India’s middle order looks formidable, with Suryakumar Yadav set to be supported by Tilak Varma, a returning Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube, offering both batting depth and all-round options.

In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the pace attack, alongside Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya. The spin unit will be led by Kuldeep Yadav, with Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Varun Chakaravarthy providing a variety of options in the middle overs.

India squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026:
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.