The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially unveiled the much-anticipated Indian squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The announcement, made on December 20, 2025, sets the stage for India's campaign in the prestigious global tournament scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
India's 15-Member Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
The selection committee, led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, has named a 15-member squad that blends experienced stalwarts with exciting young talent. Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side as captain, with Hardik Pandya serving as his deputy. The squad includes the explosive batting of Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and the returning Rishabh Pant, who has made a remarkable comeback.
The full squad is as follows: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravi Bishnoi.
Where and When to Watch the Announcement
The squad announcement was a televised event that garnered massive attention from cricket fans across the nation. For those who missed the live reveal, here are the key details about the broadcast. The announcement was aired live on the Star Sports Network at 8:00 PM IST on December 20, 2025.
For viewers preferring digital platforms, the live stream was available on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website. This ensured fans could catch the updates on their smartphones, tablets, or computers from anywhere.
Road to the 2026 World Cup and Fan Expectations
The announcement marks the beginning of a crucial preparation phase for the Indian team. The T20 World Cup 2026, being co-hosted by India, places additional pressure and excitement on the Men in Blue to perform and reclaim the trophy they last won in the inaugural 2007 edition.
The selection has sparked discussions among experts and fans. The inclusion of both wrist-spinners, Chahal and Bishnoi, indicates a strategy tailored for subcontinental pitches. The pace attack, led by Bumrah and supported by Siraj and Arshdeep, looks potent. All eyes will now be on the team's build-up through various bilateral series and the IPL 2026, which will serve as a key proving ground for form and fitness.
The nation's hopes are firmly pinned on this squad to break India's ICC trophy drought and lift the T20 World Cup on home soil in 2026.
