India will begin their T20 World Cup title defence on February 7 in Mumbai against the USA.
The BCCI senior men’s selection committee on Saturday (December 20) announced India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
The global showpiece will be played across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, whereas the five T20Is between India and New Zealand are scheduled to take place in Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram on January 21, 23, 25, 28 and 31, respectively.
The team picked for both assignments are same. Despite his indifferent form, skipper Suryakumar Yadav retained his place in the side. On the other hand, Surya’s deputy in the last few assignments, Shubman Gill, has been dropped from the squad. Axar Patel has been named the vice-captain of the team.
As expected, top performers with the bat like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma made the cut. The selectors went with two wicketkeepers in Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, who recently led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 title. Surpsingly, Jitesh Sharma was left out of the side as Rinku Singh features in the side as designated finisher.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel locked in pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, with two seam-bowling all-rounders, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube in the squad.
Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav will lead India’s spin department in the marquee event. Washington Sundar is another spin-bowling all-rounders in the 15-member squad.
India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand series: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vc), Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan