T20 World Cup 2026: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday unveiled India's 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, with some shocking modifications.

The defending champions' team features top players like pace ace Jasprit Bumrah, opener Abhishek Sharma, mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The tournament is set to take place from February 7 to March 8 across five Indian venues and three in Sri Lanka.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav hinted at India's likely playing XI during the squad announcement, stating that a wicketkeeper-batter will open alongside Abhishek Sharma.

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Shubman Gill's omission is the most interesting decision of the selection meeting in Mumbai, although given his form, it wasn't very surprising. Ishan Kishan's comeback reflects the selectors' revived focus on left-right combinations and aggressive wicket-keeping batters at the top.

Kishan's inclusion meant that talented Yashasvi Jaiswal had to sit out, while Jitesh Sharma also lost his place on the squad.

India doubled down on power at the top and middle order, choosing Abhishek Sharma alongside Suryakumar, Tilak Varma and Kishan.

India will start their campaign on the opening day of the tournament with a match against the USA on February 7. India's next game is against Namibia (Feb 12) before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo on February 15.

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India’s probable playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar.