Shubman Gill has been left out of India’s squad for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup and the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, as the selectors opted for combination-based selections, naming all-rounder Axar Patel as vice-captain.
The squad was announced by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been recalled following strong domestic form, while Jitesh Sharma misses out. Rinku Singh also returns to the T20I set-up after being absent from the recent series in South Africa.
Explaining Gill’s omission, Agarkar said the selection panel prioritised balance and flexibility in the squad. “We are looking at combinations and felt the need for another wicketkeeper. Gill is a quality player and it is unfortunate for him to miss out, but this is the combination we want,” he said.
Agarkar added that Kishan’s ability to bat at the top of the order and his recent performances weighed in his favour. “Ishan has been in good form and has played for India before. Earlier, Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant were ahead of him. At this point, we feel he is the best backup wicketkeeper,” he said.
India and Sri Lanka will co-host the Men’s T20 World Cup from February 7 to March 8, with the group stage running until February 20 and the Super Eight phase beginning on February 21. Forty group matches will be played across venues in both countries.
Placed in Group A, India will face Pakistan, USA, Netherlands and Namibia. The team will begin its campaign against USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7, followed by matches against Namibia in New Delhi on February 12, Pakistan in Colombo on February 15, and the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.
India, the defending champions, will be aiming to become the first team to successfully defend a Men’s T20 World Cup title, the first to win the tournament on home soil, and the first side to lift the trophy three times.
Before the World Cup, India will play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting January 21 in Nagpur, followed by matches in Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram.
India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan.
