India's Squad Announcement for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand Series

The Indian cricket team is set to announce its squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and the T20I series against New Zealand. Key players like Abhishek Sharma are expected to feature prominently, while concerns linger over the form of captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill. The squad will be revealed at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, with the team's campaign beginning against the USA on February 7. The upcoming series against New Zealand will follow three ODIs, showcasing the talents of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 19, 2025, 12:46 IST

Announcement of the Indian Team

The Indian cricket team will unveil its squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand in January. This announcement will be made by captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday.

Squad Contenders and Player Form

Guaranteed Starter?

India finds itself in Group A, competing against Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the USA. The team's campaign will kick off against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai. Star opener Abhishek Sharma is expected to be a key player, having had an exceptional year in T20 cricket. He has amassed 825 runs in 20 matches, averaging 43.42 with a strike rate exceeding 195, including a century and five fifties, with a top score of 135.

Concerns Over Leadership Group's Form

Despite their struggles this year, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill are likely to be included in the squad. Suryakumar has only managed 213 runs in 20 matches, averaging a disappointing 14.20, with no fifties to his name. Gill, who is sidelined for the final T20I against South Africa due to a foot injury, has fared slightly better but has yet to score a fifty in 15 innings since his return to T20I cricket, accumulating 291 runs at an average of 24.25.

Middle-Order and Wicketkeeping Contenders

Tilak Varma, who demonstrated his potential during the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, is another strong candidate for the squad. He has scored 494 runs in T20Is this year at an average of 44.90 and a strike rate above 124, including three fifties. While his strike rate raises some concerns, his ability to perform in crucial matches is well recognized.

For wicketkeeping roles, Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are in contention, with the final decision resting on team management based on form and team dynamics. Ishan Kishan could also be considered after his impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he was the leading run-scorer with 517 runs in 10 innings, averaging 57.44.

All-Rounders and Bowling Attack

The all-rounder lineup, featuring Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, promises to enhance the team's depth and versatility in both batting and bowling.

Kuldeep Yadav, who has been in outstanding form this year, is expected to be the primary spinner, supported by Sundar and Axar. Jasprit Bumrah is anticipated to lead the pace attack, backed by emerging talents like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

Potential Wildcard Selections

It will be intriguing to see if popular players like Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who are currently not part of the T20I setup, will be included in the squad.

Upcoming New Zealand Series

The five-match T20I series against New Zealand is set to commence on January 21, following three ODIs between the finalists of the Champions Trophy 2025, which will also feature ODI stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.