BCCI names 15-member squad for crucial T20 World Cup to begin on Feb 7 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a 15-member team in an intended high-voltage edition of its party song at the all-important 2026 T20 World Cup, set to start on February 7. Shubman Gill is omitted in the squad under captain Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel will be the vice-captain of the team.
The side will also play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home starting from January 21.
The chief selector is Ajit Agarkar and the team was finalised by skipper Suryakumar Yadav in a meeting at BCCI office in Mumbai before being announced at the press conference.
Most of the squad that played T20Is in Australia and South Africa have also been picked for the T20 World Cup.
India Name Balanced Squad with Strong All-Round Options
India’s top-order includes Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, although Shubman Gill is not in the roster. Suryakumar Yadav leads the middle-order, which includes Tilak Varma, while Jitesh Sharma is absent.
The Men in Blue are particularly well served for all-rounders, and Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya can all factor at the back middle order for that valuable batting-bowling depth.
India’s leading spin attack comprises of the reliable Kuldeep Yadav with Varun Chakaravarthy and among the fast bowlers, spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana.
Wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan, who was voted the Man of the Tournament of the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), is being rewarded with a place in an enhanced pool while aggressive left-handed batsman Rinku Singh has been included in the main team after he missed out from both ODI and T20I squads for South Africa series at home.
Team India squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026:
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan, Harshit Rana
Team India to kickstart T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against USA on February 7
The title defence of the Men in Blue will start with a Group A game against the United States of America (USA) on February 7 at Wankhede Stadium. The rest of the members are Pakistan, Namibia and the Netherlands.
On Sunday, 15 February, the high-voltage match against Pakistan will be held in a neutral ground, the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo.
