India squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Shubman Gill dropped as vice-captain, Ishan Kishan makes comeback

The same team will play against New Zealand in January next before India commences their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the India cricket team’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, held a meeting at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and, after deliberation, announced the squad in a press conference.

Gill dropped, Kishan returns after 2 years

After concerns about the form of Shubman Gill, the BCCI has dropped him as vice-captain, with Axar Patel replacing him as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy. Axar had held the role momentarily in early 2025, but Gill’s return saw him lose the leadership.

While Gill’s exclusion can be justified, Jitesh Sharma has been dropped out of nowhere. From playing as the wicketkeeper in Australia and against South Africa at home, the 31-year-old has been omitted, with Ishan Kishan returning to the team after more than 2 years.

Given that Jitesh has been dropped, Rinku Singh has returned to the team as well. He might just start as the finisher. Gill’s exclusion also means that Sanju Samson will be back as opener and Abhishek Sharma’s partner.

India squad T20 World Cup 2026

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

India’s schedule for T20 World Cup 2026