The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the 15-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday, marking a significant comeback for wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and a notable omission for vice-captain Shubman Gill. The squad will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, with all-rounder Axar Patel appointed as his deputy.
Kishan's Redemption and Gill's Omission
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, made some bold calls. The most talked-about inclusion is that of Ishan Kishan, who returns to the national T20I setup after last playing against Australia in late 2023. His selection follows a phenomenal campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26, where he powered Jharkhand to their maiden title.
In stark contrast, regular T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill was left out. Addressing the media at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that the decision was based on exploring different options at the top of the order, while also affirming that Gill remains a "champion player." Fitness and recent form were cited as contributing factors to his exclusion.
Ishan Kishan's Dominant Domestic Run
Kishan's recall is firmly rooted in spectacular performance. In the victorious SMAT season, the left-hander was the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 517 runs in just 10 innings at a stunning average of 57.44 and a strike rate of over 197. His tally included two centuries and two half-centuries, with a match-winning hundred in the final against Haryana.
Expressing his joy after the selection, Kishan told ANI, "I am very happy. Also very happy for my domestic team, Jharkhand, on winning their maiden SMAT trophy! Everyone played really well!" His return fills the role of the second wicketkeeper-batter in the squad alongside Sanju Samson.
India's Squad Composition and Leadership
The squad announcement, made by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia in the presence of captain Suryakumar Yadav and Agarkar, features a mix of experienced campaigners and dynamic performers. The full squad is as follows:
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)
- Rinku Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Washington Sundar
- Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
This squad is also selected for the preceding T20I series against New Zealand. The selection underscores a strategic shift, prioritizing explosive power at the top and flexibility in the middle order, as the team builds towards the global tournament in 2026.
