India's Cricket Team Faces Major Changes Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

As the Indian cricket team gears up for the T20 World Cup 2026, significant changes have been made to the squad, including the surprising exclusion of Shubman Gill. Former player Aakash Chopra has also shared his alternative team selection, which does not include Gill. The upcoming T20 series against New Zealand is seen as a critical opportunity for players to prove themselves ahead of the World Cup. With the series starting on January 21, all eyes will be on how these changes impact the team's performance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 25, 2025, 22:57 IST

Transformations in Indian Cricket

Indian cricket is currently undergoing significant changes, with every decision being scrutinized as the T20 World Cup 2026 approaches. Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member squad set to compete in a five-match T20 series against New Zealand. The exclusion of several prominent players has sparked considerable discussion.

One of the most surprising omissions from the team is Shubman Gill, who has been left out due to his recent poor form. Statistics reveal that he scored only 291 runs in his last 15 T20 international matches, averaging just over 24 with a strike rate of approximately 137. This performance did not meet the selectors' expectations.

In the meantime, former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra has drawn attention by announcing his alternative T20 World Cup team. His lineup includes players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Jitesh Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and KL Rahul. Notably, Shubman Gill is also absent from this selection.

It is worth mentioning that Gill was brought back into the T20 team following an impressive performance in the Test series against England earlier this year. He made his return to T20 international cricket after nearly a year, during which Sanju Samson had to sit out, raising many questions. However, the situation has now reversed, with selectors placing their trust in Samson this time.

According to available information, the T20 series between India and New Zealand will commence on January 21 and conclude on January 31. Just six days later, on February 7, India will kick off its T20 World Cup campaign against the USA at Wankhede Stadium. This series is seen as a crucial test for players, as their performances will directly influence the World Cup lineup.