The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a major shake-up in the T20I setup, omitting star batter Shubman Gill from the 15-member squad for the home T20 World Cup scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026. The decision underscores the team's aggressive new template, demanding explosive starts from ball one, a role where Gill has struggled to adapt consistently.
The Selection Rationale: Flexibility Over Form
At the squad announcement on Saturday, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav emphasized that the final selection was the result of extensive discussions aimed at building a squad with maximum flexibility. Gill's omission, they clarified, was more about team balance and combination than a direct reflection of his form.
"It's more about the combination we want to play and what the team management is comfortable with. Having a wicketkeeper at the top gives us more flexibility," Agarkar explained. He added that with only 15 spots available, tough calls were inevitable, and the think-tank wanted more depth in the lower middle order, which prompted Rinku Singh's inclusion over Jitesh Sharma.
Ishan Kishan's Stunning Comeback and Rinku's Return
The squad sees the dramatic return of wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who last played for India in November 2023. Kishan forced his way back into contention with a dominant Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 campaign, amassing 517 runs at a staggering strike rate of 197. This explosive intent aligns perfectly with the team's demand for Powerplay maximization.
Rinku Singh also finds a place, with the selectors looking to bolster the finishing firepower at the death overs. The vice-captaincy has been handed back to all-rounder Axar Patel.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Tilak Varma will bat at No. 3, while he himself will slot in at No. 4. The squad construction suggests a focus on deep batting line-ups capable of setting or chasing mammoth totals.
Gill's T20I Struggles and the Road Ahead
Shubman Gill's experiment as a T20I opener lasted just 15 games. Despite attempts to raise his strike rate, he managed only 291 runs at a strike rate of 137.26, with a highest score of 47. His approach appeared increasingly out of sync with the team's ultra-aggressive philosophy post the 2024 T20 World Cup win.
This marks the second consecutive T20 World Cup snub for Gill, who was also not in the scheme of things for the 2024 edition. The same 15-member squad will play the T20I series against New Zealand in January 2026.
India's T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK).
