India name squad for 2026 T20 World Cup; Gill axed
20 Dec 2025

The BCCI has finally announced India's squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, which will be played from February 7 to March 8.

Suryakumar Yadav will continue to lead the team despite his poor run lately. Axar Patel has been named the vice-captain, replacing Shubman Gill.

The latter has been dropped as Ishan Kishan has earned a surprise recall.

Poor returns for Gill
Gill

Gill, who is now India's Test and ODI skipper, was also named the vice-captain of the T20I team ahead of the Asia Cup earlier this year.

However, he has had a poor time in the format, having managed just 291 runs across 15 T20Is in 2025 at 24.25.

His best score in these games was 47. This dry run led to his ouster.

SKY's paltry run in 2025
SKY

SKY, a part of India's 2024 T20 WC-winning squad, has been woefully out of touch.

Across 19 innings this year, Suryakumar managed just 218 runs at 13.62.

Despite his struggles, the selectors have continued to trust him as the batter's overall T20I record is still phenomenal.

However, the skipper would want to be among the runs in the upcoming T20I series versus New Zealand.

Eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek

Abhishek Sharma, who will play his maiden ICC event, will hold the key for India.

Across 21 T20Is in 2025, the southpaw scored 859 runs at an average of 42.95 and owned a strike rate of 193.46.

He smashed one century and five fifties. Abhishek hammered 54 maximums in the year.

Notably, Abhishek is currently the top-ranked T20I batter.

Who are the other batters in the line-up?
Batters

The in-form Tilak Varma is the other specialist batter in the squad. Rinku Singh has also been picked after missing out on the recent series against South Africa.

Sanju Samson, who is likely to be the first-choice opener and wicket-keeper, has also found a place.

Kishan is the other keeper-batter in the squad as Jitesh Sharma has been dropped.

What led to Kishan's recall?
Kishan's recall

Kishan, who last played for India in November 2023, earned a recall after captaining Jharkhand to the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title.

With 517 runs at an average of 57.44, he finished the T20 tournament as the highest run-getter.

He struck at an impressive 197.32. Notably, the southpaw's 101-run knock in the final came off 49 balls.

Plenty of all-rounders in the team
All-rounders

Meanwhile, the squad is laced with several three-dimensional players.

While Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are the pace-bowling all-rounders, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel can provide spin alongside batting.

This would allow the Indian team to tinker with their combination as per the pitch conditions.

Who are the bowlers?
Bowlers

Coming to the specialist bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack as he will be assisted by Arshdeep Singh.

Both fast bowlers own over 100 T20I wickets. The top-ranked T20I bowler, Varun Chakravarthy is likely to be India's first-choice specialist spinner.

Kuldeep Yadav will back him up.

India's squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Fact

Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel (vc), Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh.

India to take on New Zealand
IND vs NZ T20Is

In their last T20I assignment before the World Cup, India will face New Zealand in five T20Is from January 21 to January 31.

The same squad, which has been picked for the marquee event, will feature in this series.

Notably, India are the defending T20 World Cup champions, having tasted glory in the 2024 event.