India’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad announced! Find out the tactical reasons behind Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma’s omission, the return of Ishan Kishan-Rinku Singh, and an analysis of the challenges facing the defending champions in defending their title.
Defending champions and hosts India have announced their squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a big surprise! The BCCI announced a 15-member squad on December 20, 2025, and the biggest shock was the absence of Shubman Gill. Not only that, he was also removed from the vice-captains’ list. Instead, Axar Patel was announced as the vice-captain of the team. Apart from this, the biggest opportunities in this bold decision of the selectors have been given to Ishan Kishan, who led Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, and reliable finisher Rinku Singh. So what is the basis for this change? Know the complete analysis.
New leadership, new responsibilities: Surya kumar-Axar Patel
World number one T20 batsman Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian team for the first time in an ICC tournament. His deputy will be all-rounder Axar Patel, who replaces Gill. Gill was made vice-captain for the Asia Cup but was dropped in recent months due to new thinking on the team composition.
Shubman Gill’s exclusion: “Combination” or a crisis of form?
Shubman Gill was considered the future of Indian cricket. But after his return to T20 Internationals, he has not been consistent in scoring runs. Gill recently scored 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26, which is not good enough by T20 International standards.
However, captain Suryakumar and chief selector Ajit Agrabarkar have clarified that the main reason for Gill’s exclusion is not form, but the team’s “combination” or tactical mix.
According to the selectors, they want to see a wicket-keeper batsman at the top of the team. Sanju Samson is seen as a permanent replacement. As a result, the team needed another wicket-keeper as a reserve opener and alternate wicket-keeper. The victims of this decision were Shubman Gill and wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma, who played in the recent series.
| Player | Innings | Run | Average | Strick Rate | Special Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 15 | 291 | 24.25 | 137.26 | No half-centuries |
| Sanju Samson | 12 | 417 | – | 183.70 | Top 3 centuries |
The table information is based on recent T20 International series
Ishan Kishan: A triumphant return to the team from domestic devastation
The story behind Ishan Kishan‘s return to the team is like a movie. He was the only force in the country’s T20 tournament, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He led Jharkhand to the title as captain and also caused havoc with the bat. 517 runs in just 10 innings! The average was a whopping 57.44. And the strike rate? Around 197.32! Four innings of resignation, including two centuries, forced a knock on the team’s door. The innings of 101 runs off 49 balls against Haryana in the final was the final nail. The selectors could not ignore this form and ‘firepower’.
Rinku Singh: The return of a reliable finisher and the balance of the team
Rinku Singh is the biggest beneficiary of the ‘keeper at the top’ combination in place of Gill. Despite not getting a place in the team in the last few series, the Indian team management still has faith in his finishing ability and cool mind. Rinku, who can score runs at a strike rate of over 1300 in the lower order, will give the team tremendous depth. Having a devastating batsman like him at number seven or eight means that India can maintain the run rate even in the last overs of the innings. His combination with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube can be dangerous for any bowling attack.
Indian Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
| Role / Category | Player(s) |
|---|---|
| Captain | Suryakumar Yadav |
| Vice-Captain | Axar Patel |
| Batter / Wicketkeeper | Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan |
| Batter | Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh |
| All-rounder | Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar |
| Pace Bowler | Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana |
| Spin Bowler | Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy |
Special Note: Before the World Cup, the same team will play a 5-match T20I series against New Zealand between January 21 and 31 as a preparation. They have until January 31, 2026, to make any changes to the team.
🚨India’s squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 announced 🚨
Let’s cheer for the defending champions 💪#TeamIndia | #MenInBlue | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/7CpjGh60vk
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 20, 2025
Team balance and expert views
The World Cup-winning team has only three pure pacers this time – Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. With an all-rounder like Hardik Pandya, there is extra depth in the pace bowling department. On the other hand, the spin department is also strong under the leadership of Bumrah-Kuldeep-Varun Chakraborty.
Reactions from former cricketers and experts:
- Sunil Gavaskar: “The omission of Shubman Gill is a surprise. Class act, quality batter. I know he struggled for a few matches, but class always tells in the end. He was coming after a long lay-off and wasn’t in rhythm. When you have to go bang-bang, if your natural bent is to play along the ground, it doesn’t come easy. We’ve seen in the IPL he’s very good, so the lack of touch might have gone against him. I do hope Shubman takes it in the right spirit. I want the very best for him. Some of these injuries have been freakish,” said Sunil Gavaskar on Star Sports.
- Harbhajan Singh: “I’ll give Agarkar and selection 10 out of 10. This is not the end of the road (for Gill). This is a situation where combination has been seen first. I’m so happy that Rinku is there in the team, and with him Ishan Kishan is returning. He could be the possible player in the reckoning, we were looking at them in standby but they get the chance. They’re in form, you can’t take Jitesh when you need someone at 7-8. If a quality player like Shubman is not there, you need a power-packed player and a wicketkeeper at the top of the order. Axar Patel as a vice-captain is a great decision”.
The arrivals begin, tension builds, and decisions loom as squads for #INDvNZ and the mens #T20WorldCup are set to be announced 💥
Watch #TeamIndia‘s squad announcement | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/HCxHPl6kFs pic.twitter.com/JlQAxbadsA
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 20, 2025
Tournament Roadmap: India’s Group, Schedule and Tickets
- Tournament Dates: February 7 – March 8, 2026 (Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka).
- India’s Group: India is in Group A with Pakistan, USA, Netherlands and Namibia.
- India’s Key Matches: First Match: February 7, against USA in Mumbai.
- Big Bash: February 15, against Pakistan in Colombo.
- Last Date to Change Teams: January 31, 2026.
- Tickets: World Cup tickets are on sale now. Prices start at Rs 100.
Bold decision to win
By dropping two star players, the Indian selectors have sent a clear message: current form and the need for a specific strategy are the biggest considerations. Bringing back an in-form player like Ishan Kishan and a proven finisher like Rinku Singh is a bold and mathematical decision.
The team has emphasised three key elements of T20 cricket — power play, middle over control and finishing at the death overs. It now remains to be seen whether this new “combination” can lead defending champions India to a second consecutive World Cup title and a third overall. Read more
1 thought on “India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Shocker: Gill, Axar, Kishan Returns! Can SKY Lead to Glory?”