THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Mumbai, Dec 20: Indian selectors on Saturday announced the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, with a major talking point being the exclusion of vice-captain Shubman Gill following a prolonged lean run with the bat.
The same squad will play the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand in January, BCCI said.
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The decision was taken after deliberations by the Ajit Agarkar-led national selection committee, which opted for current form while finalising the team.
Suryakumar Yadav has been entrusted with the captaincy, while all-rounder Axar Patel has been appointed vice-captain.
Agarkar acknowledged that Gill’s lack of runs weighed heavily against him and explained that the leadership group had to be restructured once his name was left out of the squad.
The selection also marked the return of Ishan Kishan, who edged out Jitesh Sharma to be named the second wicketkeeper behind Sanju Samson. Apart from his role with the gloves, Ishan will serve as the reserve opener in the tournament.
Rinku Singh, part of India’s Asia Cup-winning squad, has also made his way back into the team and will be relied upon as a finisher, replacing Jitesh Sharma.
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Defending champions India have been placed in Group A along with the United States, Pakistan, Namibia and the Netherlands.
India will open their campaign against the USA on February 7, followed by matches against Namibia on February 12, Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo, and the Netherlands on February 18.
India’s Super 8 matches will be played in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. If India qualify for the semi-finals, the match will be held in Mumbai.
Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vc), Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rinku Singh.
