The Indian cricket team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has been announced, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the side and Axar Patel as vice-captain. The squad features a mix of experienced stars and exciting young talents, while notable names like Shubman Gill have been dropped.
Here’s the official 15-member squad announced by the BCCI:
Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
- Vice-Captain: Axar Patel
- Batters: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh
- Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan
- All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar
- Pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana
- Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
Key Highlights
- Captaincy Shift: Suryakumar Yadav continues as India’s T20 captain, trusted for his aggressive batting and leadership skills.
- Vice-Captaincy Surprise: Axar Patel’s rise as vice-captain reflects his consistency as an all-rounder.
- Gill Dropped: Shubman Gill, once seen as a future T20 star, has been omitted due to poor form.
- Fresh Faces: Abhishek Sharma and Harshit Rana bring youthful energy, while Rinku Singh’s finishing ability adds depth.
- Balanced Squad: India has a strong mix of batting firepower, versatile all-rounders, and a lethal pace-spin attack.
Tournament Context
- Dates: February 7 – March 8, 2026
- Hosts: India and Sri Lanka
- Format: 20 teams, divided into 4 groups of 5.
- India’s Group (A): India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia.
The India-Pakistan clash is expected to be one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
This squad reflects India’s intent to dominate with aggressive batting and versatile all-round options. The omission of Shubman Gill signals a bold move by selectors, prioritizing form over reputation. With Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, India will aim to reclaim T20 glory on home soil.