India T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement Highlights: Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh make the cut
India T20 World 2026 squad announcement: The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) announced India's 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar Yadav has been named captain with Axar Patel as his deputy.

India T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement: Team India's much-awaited 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 was announced today with captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirming the squad in the press conference. With the tournament set to begin on February 7, it could be interesting to see how the squad fares in the upcoming tournament. It is also worth noting that the squad for the upcoming New Zealand T20I series was announced today as well.
Follow thread for all the latest updates here
Live updates : India T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement Highlights: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson to feature?
-
2:51 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
India begin World Cup campaign against USA
Speaking of the World Cup schedule, team India kick off the tournament by taking the USA. The two sides will lock horns at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7.
-
2:41 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Title defence on the cards?
The T20 World Cup is on the horizon, and with such a strong squad, a title defence could very well be on the cards for the Men in Blue here. the opening duo of Samson and Abhishek with Hardik and Axar in the middle order, alongside Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Varun with the ball, it would take quite an effort to topple this Indian team.
-
2:28 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Ishan Kishan's reckoning!
Star batter Ishan Kishan has finally made a comeback to the T20I squad, with a match winning century against Haryana in the SMAT 2025 final, much would be expected from Kishan, considering he gets the chance in the playing XI.
-
2:14 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
No Shubman Gill!
One of the biggest moments comes forth as Shubman Gill has been dropped from the T20I squad for the World Cup and the New Zealand series. Ishan Kishan comes into the squad, and Axar Patel has been named as the side's vice captain.
-
2:13 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Squad is here!
T20 World Cup squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah
-
2:05 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Why the delay?
It is worth noting that due to a delay in Suryakumar Yadav's flight and his late arrival at the BCCI HQ, the squad announcement has been delayed. The announcement should be expected around 2:15 pm.
-
1:47 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Press room is ready
Everything is in order, the wait continues for Ajit Agarkar and Suryakumar Yadav. The press conference set to begin very soon. Stay tuned.
-
1:30 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Meeting underway!
The Selection Committee Meeting for the squad selection of the T20 World Cup 2026 is underway, an announcement should be coming our way sooner than anticipated!.
-
1:21 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Suryakumar Yadav is here!
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav has arrived at the BCCI HQ as well. The star player after leading India to a series win against South Africa in Ahmedabad, has now arrived at the HQ all set for the T20 World Cup and New Zealand series squad announcement.
-
1:07 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Press conference to begin soon!
Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen! The press conference should be live very soon. Fans wait in anticipation to see what squad India takes to the World Cup!
-
12:53 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Devajit Saikia arrives!
After Agarkar, the BCCI's secretary Devajit Saikia has now arrived at the headquarters. The time for the squad is coming very soon!
-
12:40 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Agarkar is here
The BCCI's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has arrived at the BCCI headquarters. The press conference is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM
-
12:31 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
India set to face New Zealand across five T20Is
To better prepare themselves for the T20 World Cup 2026, team India and New Zealand will lock horns across five T20Is. The two sides will take on each other on January 21, 23, 25, 28, and 31.
-
12:13 PM (IST) December 20, 2025
Men in Blue's upcoming assignments
It is interesting to note that before the T20 World Cup 2026, team India will be taking on New Zealand. The two sides will face off across three ODIs and five T20Is.
-
11:58 AM (IST) December 20, 2025
India's recent T20I form
Speaking of the Indian team, the Men in Blue have been in good form as of late in the shortest format of the game. The side recently won their five-game T20I series against South Africa, defeating them in three matches, losing one, and one game producing no result.
-
11:43 AM (IST) December 20, 2025
India's opening conundrum
Another big talking point ahead of the squad announcement could what set of batters would open for India in the World Cup. Abhishek Sharma is almost set in his position, but it could be interesting to see whether Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill or Sanju Samson will feature as the second opener.
-
11:25 AM (IST) December 20, 2025
World cup dates!
The T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to kick off on February 7. The tournament will run until March 8 and will be held in India and Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue will come in as the defending champions and they will hope to become the only team to defend the title.
-
11:12 AM (IST) December 20, 2025
Shubman Gill to feature?
One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement could be the inclusion of star batter Shubman Gill. The vice captain of the shortest format has been unable to find his form as of late. Could that spell trouble for India?
-
10:57 AM (IST) December 20, 2025
Press conference at 1:30!
It is official, the press conference for the squad announcement will begin at 1:30 PM IST, and will be held at the BCCI headquarters.
-
10:35 AM (IST) December 20, 2025
Welcome!
Welcome to our live coverage of the Indian team's squad announcement for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 and the series against New Zealand! Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Suryakumar Yadav should address the press very soon at the BCCI headquarters. Stay tuned for the latest updates!