The Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee is all set to announce the 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup on Saturday (December 19).
The selectors are unlikely to make any change to the T20I squad and the players who were part of the South Africa series look set to be retained. Axar Patel will, of course, make his return. Shubman Gill will also get fit before the T20 World Cup. He missed the fifth and final game due to an injury.
There are as many as six players who were part of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team but are confirmed to miss the 2026 T20 WC. Here we have a look at these players –
Virat Kohli: The former India captain quit T20I cricket after winning the World Cup trophy. He has now also retired from Tests and is only active in one format. Kohli played a Player of the Final knock in the 2024 T20 WC final.
Rohit Sharma: Rohit quit T20I cricket after leading India to a title win in the 2024 WC. Rohit has played all the T20 WCs held so far. In 2026, it will be the first time India will play the T20 WC without Rohit’s services. He is also active in only ODI cricket and is expected to retire after the 2027 WC.
Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja was the third player to retire after the 2024 T20 WC. He is active in Tests and ODIs. Jadeja is a key member of the Test team while his place in the ODI squad isn’t confirmed.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The left-handed batsman was expected to get regular chances after the 2024 T20 WC, but he hasn’t played a T20I in 2025. India’s packed opening pair means there’s no place for Jaiswal even in the squad. Jaiswal, who remained on the bench in the 2024 T20 WC, now looks set get ignored for the ICC event.
Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj: Pant and Siraj were the members of India’s T20 WC-winning team in 2024 but they haven’t played a T20I in 2025. Both the senior players are unlikely to make a return for the 2026 T20 WC.