Shubman, Jitesh dropped, Ishan returns as India unveil 15-man squad for 2026 T20 WC

Recently elevated to the vice-captain’s role in the shortest format, Shubman Gill, India’s captain in Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODIs) has been dropped from the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup following a prolonged slump in form. The BCCI senior selection committee, that met in Mumbai on Saturday in the presence of secretary Devajit Saikia, also re-appointed Axar Patel as the vice-captain of the squad while recalling an in-form Ishan Kishan as the second wicketkeeper.

Along with Shubman, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma also missed the bus for the T20 World Cup, but Rinku Singh, arguably India’s best finisher in recent years, has made his back into the national team after being left out of the just-concluded T20I series against South Africa, that India won 3-1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.

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As reported by The Statesman on Friday, Kishan’s selection was purely based on his recent performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he emerged the tournament’s leading run-scorer, piling up 517 runs at a blistering strike rate of 197.32. The Jharkhand skipper scored two fifties and two hundreds, including a century in the final against Haryana (101 off 49).

“We are looking at combinations. Our thought was to have another keeper. Gill is a quality player, unfortunate to miss out, but it is the combination we want. Ishan bats at the top, he has been in good form, and played before for India,” selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar said while unveiling the squad.

“He wasn’t there because (Dhruv) Jurel and (Rishabh) Pant were ahead. Sanju is at the top. Ishan at the top. That is the combination we are looking at right now. We felt he is the best back up keeper at this point,” the former India medium-pacer added.

The BCCI also announced that the same squad will be in place for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting January 21.

Axar was vice-captain of the Indian T20I squad until the conclusion of the five-match T20I series against England in January and February before Gill took over the role in India’s next T20I assignment at the Asia Cup in September, this year. Gill remained the deputy for Suryakumar in the subsequent Australia and South Africa series as well but Axar will now take over.

Meanwhile, skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who on Friday acknowledged his own struggles with the bat during the series against the Proteas, will continue to lead the side. The rest of the squad wears a familiar look, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson likely to open the innings followed by Tilak Varma and the skipper.

Kishan’s recent exploits in the SMAT, also gives India the cushion of another top-order batter, capable of dismantling the best of bowling attacks.

Meanwhile, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who roared back to international cricket with some impactful performances against the Proteas, after a long injury lay-off, is one among four all-rounders with Axar, Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar the other three.

The bowling composition includes three frontline pacers and two frontline spinners. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack while Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are the other two fast-bowlers. The spinners include Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.

Defending champions India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, USA, Netherlands and Namibia, and will open their campaign against USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7, before facing Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on February 12.

India’s marquee clash against Pakistan is scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, before Suryakumar Yadav’s side plays their final league stage game against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 18.

The ICC T20 World Cup, to be held from February 7 to March 8, will have 40 group matches scheduled to be played till February 20. Top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super Eights starting on February 21.

Ahead of India attempting to defend their T20 World Cup, India will face New Zealand for three ODIs and five T20Is. The T20I series will be played from January 21 to January 31 in preparation for the marquee event. The squad for the three ODIs, which will be played from January 11 to January 18, will be announced at a later date.

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