Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has publicly challenged the selection committee's choices for India's squad for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. His critique follows the surprising omission of Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill from the team announced on Saturday.
Jaffer's Direct Challenge on Social Media
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Jaffer did not mince words. He explicitly questioned why young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal and wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma were overlooked in favour of Ishan Kishan and all-rounder Washington Sundar.
"Why not Jaiswal and Jitesh? I would have picked them instead of Ishan and Washi," Jaffer wrote. He elaborated that with Axar Patel appointed vice-captain and guaranteed a playing spot, Sundar's selection seemed redundant given the presence of premier spinners like Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.
Jaffer strongly defended the excluded players, stating, "Jitesh hasn't done anything wrong to be dropped, and Yashasvi… there's no need to explain why he should be in the squad in the first place." Jaiswal last played T20Is during India's tour of Sri Lanka in July 2024 but has since been preoccupied with Test cricket.
Behind the Squad Shake-up
The squad announcement brought several key decisions to light. The most shocking was the axing of Shubman Gill, a move that has sparked widespread debate. All-rounder Axar Patel's elevation to the vice-captaincy signals the team's trust in his experience.
Ishan Kishan reportedly secured his spot following an impressive performance in the domestic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Meanwhile, the selection of Rinku Singh over Jitesh Sharma is attributed to a strategic choice. The team management prefers having two wicketkeeper-batsmen who can also open the innings, a role they believe fits their current combination.
India's Title Defence and Fixtures
India, the defending champions, will begin their campaign to retain the trophy on home and Sri Lankan soil. The 10th edition of the Men's T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams. India, who clinched a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the 2024 final in Barbados, are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia.
The team's schedule for the initial stage is as follows:
- February 7: vs USA at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
- February 12: vs Namibia at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
- February 15: vs Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
- February 18: vs Netherlands at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
The squad selection has set the stage for intense discussions as India prepares for a preparatory five-match T20 series against New Zealand ahead of the global tournament. The debate initiated by Jaffer underscores the difficult choices and depth of talent in Indian cricket, with fans eagerly awaiting to see if the selected combination can deliver a second consecutive World Cup title.
