India's T20 World Cup squad had space for only 15, but the pool of quality options ran far deeper. The consequence was inevitable: several players with genuine claims were left on the outside, the unlucky ones who narrowly missed the cut.
Dhruv Jurel on Sunday replaced an injured Rishabh Pant in India's ODI squad for the three-match series against New Zealand in Vadodara.
India begins their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA, aiming to leverage their strong team composition and recent form to secure a victory.
Former New Zealand player Ian Smith put down the Shubman Gill-led India's recent red ball struggles at home to their diminishing ability against spin.
From 2018 to 2025: Gill hopes to take measure of Dukes balls' changing behaviour
Batting great Alistair Cook says England's 2-2 home series draw against Shubman Gill-led India was against "not a great Indian side", flagging concerns over the team's preparation for the Ashes.
Gill and Jaiswal centuries put India in control of series opener against England
'It's never easy, but I think he will learn from this exposure.'
As India start their T20 World Cup title defence in less than 72 hours, one is tempted to look at Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir's working relationship which has been fantastic, at least so going by the results -- a whopping 31 wins in 39 games with a winning percentage of 79.48.
With the T20 World Cup less than two months away, India would want their captain Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his rhythm sooner rather than later.
'He saw opportunities and brought in the right kind of bowlers.'
Star batter Shubman Gill was on Saturday named captain of the Indian Test squad for the upcoming five-match away series against England, signaling the start of a new era in Indian red-ball cricket.
Gill, Rahul score fifties in intra-squad practice match against India A ahead of England Test
When players select themselves, the selectors' job becomes delightfully simple. But did the Indian selectors have that luxury while picking the T20 World Cup squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup? asks K R Nayar.
'They (Gill, Jaiswal and Pant) now have to drag this Indian Test team forward like Virat did single-handedly.'
IMAGES from the 3rd T20I between India and South Africa in Dharamsala on Sunday.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Have selectors told him where he stands in white ball cricket?
He revealed that the team consciously chose to go on the offensive with short balls when England were 83 for 5.
Rahane lauded Gill's temperament under pressure, especially after India had lost the opening Test.
Mighty impressed with Shubman Gill's footwork in difficult English conditions, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly is expecting the young skipper to score truckloads of runs in away conditions
India's absolute dominance at home will come under examination when they meet a determined New Zealand in the decisive third ODI at the high-scoring Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, with the three-match series locked at 1-1.
Shubman Gill is enjoying a 'honeymoon period' as India's Test captain but there will be more pressure on him in the days to come, feels former India skipper Sourav Ganguly.
"He needs to score a bit more runs when it's seaming and swinging": Sourav Ganguly urges Shubman Gill to step up as captain, batter in testing English conditions
Gill was seen wearing black socks - a stark contrast to the regulation white or cream typically worn in Test cricket.
How the Indian players fared in the five-Test series in England.
Suryakumar Yadav's poor run of form over the last 18 months has surprised Australian great Ricky Ponting, who believes the Indian skipper should think about scoring runs and not getting out in the lead up to the T20 World Cup.
Virat Kohli has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings for the first time in five years.
Senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma looked in good touch as India went through a rigorous training session in Vadodara on Friday, ahead of their three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Yograj outlined the key aspects India's youngest red-ball captain must consider to soar to new heights.
'Shubman Gill is a great thinker and player, but man management will be key to his leadership success.'
Former England opener Mark Butcher feels the Indian Test captain has taken ownership of Virat Kohli's No 4 spot quite comfortably despite the 'enormous scrutiny'.
Virat Kohli's stroke-filled 91-ball 93 set up India's win in the series opener against New Zealand.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has rejected claims that batters have worked him out, saying consistent execution, not new variations, will define his impact at the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the opening match against USA?
Shubman Gill is stepping into leadership with clarity and calm, backed by two strong voices in Indian cricket - Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar.
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin hailed New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell as a "brainy cricketer" who is capable of making the best out of his limits as a player and someone who can give a franchise 400-500 runs batting at number three or four during a tournament.
Red velvet and white satin may be Christmas classics, but your holiday wardrobe deserves more than just the predictable.
Broad witnessed Gill's batting prowess and rich vein of form, but he didn't hold back from praising the 25-year-old, who continues to prove himself as a captain players would want to play for.
Woakes came out with his left hand wrapped in a sling and tucked inside his sweater at the fall of the penultimate wicket with the fifth Test - which India won narrowly - tantalisingly placed.