India unveiled its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, sparking major discussions with the exclusion of Shubman Gill.
Gill, who previously served as vice-captain, has been dropped entirely from the squad.
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team, while Axar Patel takes over as vice-captain. Wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma also missed out, with selectors opting for the in-form Ishan Kishan. The squad features a mix of experienced campaigners and promising talents, reflecting India’s strategy to balance stability with fresh energy.
Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar earned spots in the squad, adding depth to both batting and all-round options. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh strengthen the pace attack, while Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy provide spin variety. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube add power-hitting and all-round balance.
India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand T20Is includes:
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Axar Patel (vice-captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Washington Sundar
- Ishan Kishan
- Rinku Singh
This announcement highlights India’s intent to back-form players while reshaping leadership roles ahead of the global tournament.
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