The Indian cricket team squad for the T20 World Cup and the preceding New Zealand series has been revealed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
There was a big question mark if would make the T20 World Cup after underwhelming performances, and he was dropped from the team. This almost confirms that would open the innings for India in the T20 World Cup. The squad also saw Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan make a comeback.
Other batters in the squad are Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma. India have included a plethora of all-rounders, including Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel. Patel was also named the vice captain of the team. The pace bowling will rest on the shoulders of Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh, while Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy were picked as specialist spinners.
India Squad For T20 World Cup 2026 And New Zealand Series
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh
Why Was Shubman Gill Dropped?
Gill didn’t have a great show at the top since he made a comeback to the team and the chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that he was left out of the team because of the team combination. “Your opinion could differ from mine. Sometimes when you pick players, it’s difficult. We still think he’s a quality player. You go through ups and downs with forms, but it’s more about the combinations you want them playing.”
“Someone has to miss out, it’s not because he’s not a good player, and fortunately, in Indian cricket we have options.
Along with Gill, Jitesh was also dropped from the squad for Ishan Kishan. Agarkar said that Ishan was brought back to the team as they wanted a backup keeper who is a like-for-like replacement. He also said that Rinku Singh was included as they wanted a batter in the lower-middle order. “If your keeper is going to bat at the top, you want a keeper who can play there. Jitesh was there, Shubman is a quality player and unfortunate to miss out. Combinations more than anything else, two keepers at the top. Rinku comes who gives that lower middle order option.”