MUMBAI: In a major shake-up ahead of their title defense, the BCCI on Saturday announced a bold 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The biggest talking point of the announcement was the omission of star opener Shubman Gill, who had previously served as the vice-captain in the shortest format.
The Big Snub: Why Gill Missed Out
Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar cited “combinations” and a dip in recent form as the primary reasons for Gill’s exclusion. Despite being a mainstay in ODIs and Tests, Gill’s T20I form in 2025 has been underwhelming, failing to register a single half-century in 15 innings. With the tournament being held on home soil (India and Sri Lanka), the selectors have pivoted toward aggressive options at the top of the order.
The Return of Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh
The squad sees the high-profile return of Ishan Kishan, who earned his spot back after a two-year hiatus following a stellar performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Alongside him, “finisher” Rinku Singh makes his comeback, strengthening a middle order that looks formidable on paper.
New Deputy and Wicketkeeping Roles
With Gill out, all-rounder Axar Patel has been elevated to the role of Vice-Captain under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. The wicketkeeping department will be shared by Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, with Agarkar emphasizing that a keeper-batsman at the top provides much-needed tactical stability.
Spin-Heavy Strategy
Staying true to home conditions, India has opted for a spin-heavy attack featuring the “luxury” of both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy. They are joined by Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, giving India four distinct spin options.
India’s 15-Member Squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK).
