The national selection committee, in a bold move, overlooked out-of-form vice-captain Shubman Gill for selection in India’s 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup at home.
All-rounder Axar Patel was named vice-captain of the squad, which also saw the return of in-form Ishan Kishan, who pipped Jitesh Sharma as the second wicketkeeper behind Sanju Samson.
Ishan, who was out of favour for much of the year following fitness and availability issues, led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title earlier this week. He smashed 101 off 49 balls in the final -- his fifth century in the competition -- equalling India T20I opener Abhishek Sharma's record for the most hundreds in the tournament.
The left-hander finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer, amassing 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate in excess of 197.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar admitted that Gill was dropped from the squad for lack of runs.
"Obviously he (Gill) has been short of runs and since he wasn't picked, we needed a vice-captain," Agarkar told the media after the announcement of the squad.
Gill scored 4, 0 and 28 in three matches against South Africa.
Rinku Singh, who was a part of the victorious Asia Cup-winning squad, made a comeback as the designated finisher in place of Jitesh.
"It's not about Gill's form. We wanted to have a keeper at the top," said skipper Suryakumar Yadav on Gill's omission.
Kishan's inclusion meant that talented Yashasvi Jaiswal had to miss out while Jitesh also lost his place on the squad.
India doubled down on power at the top and middle order, picking Abhishek Sharma alongside Suryakumar, Tilak Varma and Kishan, while Rinku's presence continues India's commitment to a specialist finisher who can absorb pressure and explode at the death.
All-round depth remains a cornerstone of the squad. Hardik Pandya will once again shoulder the responsibility of balancing the playing eleven, supported by Shivam Dube, whose ability to target spinners has become a major asset, and the Axar–Washington Sundar duo, offering variety, control and batting depth.
The bowling unit blends experience with experimentation. Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh, India's most reliable left-arm option in T20Is.
Harshit Rana's inclusion points to a forward-looking approach, with the selectors backing raw pace and bounce as a point of difference.
Spin will be handled by Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, a pairing that provides both wrist-spin guile and mystery, especially effective in the middle overs on abrasive surfaces. Washington Sundar and Axar bring in the much-needed versatility.
Ishan, apart from being the second ‘keeper, will be the reserve opener.
Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Rinku Singh.
© 2025