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

The Indian cricket team is gearing up 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 and Suryakumar Yadav are expected to feature prominently, despite some recent struggles. The team will kick off its World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7. With a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, the squad aims to make a strong impact in the tournament. Stay tuned for the full squad announcement and insights into the upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 19, 2025, 20:19 IST

Upcoming Squad Announcement for T20 World Cup

The Indian cricket team is set to unveil its squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the 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.

India finds itself in Group A, competing against Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States, with their first match scheduled against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai.

Star opener Abhishek Sharma is expected to be a key player, having had an outstanding year in T20 cricket, accumulating 825 runs in 20 matches at an impressive average of 43.42 and a strike rate exceeding 195, including a century and five fifties, with a top score of 135.

Despite their recent struggles, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill are anticipated to retain their spots in the squad. Yadav has had a challenging year, scoring only 213 runs in 20 matches at a disappointing average of 14.20, while Gill, who is sidelined for the final T20I against South Africa due to injury, has managed 291 runs at an average of 24.25 without a fifty in 15 innings since his return to T20I.

Tilak Varma, who demonstrated his potential during the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, is likely to be included. He has scored 494 runs in T20Is this year at an average of 44.90, showcasing his ability in high-pressure situations.

Wicketkeeping options may include Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma, with the final decision resting on team dynamics and form. Ishan Kishan, who recently excelled in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, could also be considered, having scored 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44.

The all-rounder lineup featuring Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar is expected to enhance the team's depth and versatility.

In the bowling department, Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be the primary spinner, supported by Sundar and Axar. Jasprit Bumrah is anticipated to lead the pace attack, with young talents like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana also in contention.

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.

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 stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.