India announces T20 World Cup 2026 squad; Ishan Kishan & Rinku Singh included

On Saturday, December 20, the Indian men’s senior selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, announced India’s strong 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to start on Saturday, February 7, in India and Sri Lanka.

Suryakumar Yadav will continue to lead the Indian squad, while Axar Patel has been named as the vice-captain. However, Shubman Gill has been omitted after being inconsistent since his comeback to the format.

Also, Jitesh Sharma, the keeper-batter in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against South Africa, has also been axed from the squad, with Sanju Samson being appointed as the first-choice keeper-batter. Also, Ishan Kishan, who last played a T20I in 2023, has been selected as the backup opener and keeper.

Notably, Kishan made the cut after his impressive performances in the just-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 campaign, in which he racked up 517 runs from 10 games at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of 197.32.

Dashing opening batter Abhishek Sharma will open the innings alongside the first-choice keeper-batter Sanju Samson. While Tilak Varma is likely to occupy the No.3 spot, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar will be a part of the middle-order. 

Jasprit Bumrah will continue to lead the pace attack with Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Pandya, while Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Varun Chakaravarthy will form the spin attack.

India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

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