Key Points:
- Suryakumar Yadav to lead India in ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Axar Patel named vice-captain
- Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh make comeback to World Cup squad, Shubman Gill dropped
- India will play five-match T20 series against New Zealand with same squad before World Cup
- India vs Pakistan scheduled for February 15 in Colombo during group stage
- 20 teams divided into four groups, top two from each group advance to Super 8 stage
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in February 2026 across multiple venues in India and Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav will continue as captain, while Axar Patel has been appointed vice-captain, replacing the dropped Shubman Gill.
Squad Selection and Key Changes
The 15-member squad includes several significant changes from previous tournaments. Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan and middle-order specialist Rinku Singh have made strong comebacks to the World Cup team after impressive performances in domestic and IPL cricket. However, the exclusion of Shubman Gill, who previously served as vice-captain, marks a major surprise. The squad balances experience with youth, featuring proven match-winners like Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav alongside emerging talents such as Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Harshit Rana.
Complete Indian Squad
The finalized team includes: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel (Vice-captain), Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana.
Tournament Format and India’s Schedule
The T20 World Cup 2026 will follow the same format as the 2024 edition held in the USA and West Indies. Twenty teams are divided into four groups of five each, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super 8 stage. From the Super 8, the top four teams will qualify for the knockout semi-finals.
India’s group stage schedule begins with a match against USA in Mumbai on February 7, followed by Namibia in Delhi on February 12. The highly anticipated clash against Pakistan is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, before concluding the group stage against Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.
Participating Teams and Groups
Besides all 13 Test-playing nations, associate teams including Canada, Netherlands, UAE, Nepal, Oman, and Namibia have qualified for the tournament. Italy will make its debut in the T20 World Cup this year, adding to the global flavor of the competition.
India finds itself in Group A alongside Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia, and USA, setting up a challenging but familiar path to the knockout stages.
Preparation and New Zealand Series
The BCCI has planned a comprehensive preparation schedule, with the same World Cup squad set to play a five-match T20 series against New Zealand before the main tournament. This series will serve as crucial match practice and help finalize batting orders and bowling combinations.
Defending Champions Status
India enters the tournament as defending champions, having won the 2024 T20 World Cup by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. The team will be looking to become the first side to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title, adding another chapter to India’s rich cricketing legacy.
