India Squad Announcement for T20 World Cup 2026
The wait is nearly over as Ajit Agarkar prepares to announce India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. Scheduled for Saturday, this highly anticipated event will also feature a press conference where Agarkar will discuss the team’s lineup for the tournament. This announcement comes just one day after India finalizes its squad for the T20I series against South Africa, which wraps up on December 18 in Ahmedabad.
Timing of the Announcement
India will reveal its squad following the last T20I against South Africa, despite still having five matches left before the World Cup. Although these games will be played after the initial squad deadline, it seems likely that the same roster will continue into the tournament. The T20 World Cup is set to run from February 7 to March 8, 2026, and fans are eager to see how the selections unfold.
Key Player Concerns
One of the main talking points leading up to the announcement is the form of crucial players like Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav, the team’s vice-captain and captain, respectively. Speculation is rife about whether the selectors will make any bold decisions regarding their spots on the team. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion is also a hot topic, given his impressive record; many wonder if he could make a comeback into the team just in time for the World Cup.
Wicketkeeper Dilemma
Another area of interest is the wicketkeeping situation. Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson have been the main choices since the Asia Cup. However, Jitesh has not made a significant impact in his innings, while Samson’s role has fluctuated, resulting in his removal from the playing XI. The selectors might also consider other options, such as Ishan Kishan or Rishabh Pant, alongside Dhruv Jurel.
Injuries and Absences
Shreyas Iyer’s absence from T20Is since December 2023 due to injury adds another layer of uncertainty to the squad selection. His return to form is highly anticipated, and it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to reunite with the team before the World Cup. Additionally, Rinku Singh, who had been a regular feature in the team, was left out for the South Africa matches. If he misses a second consecutive World Cup, it may raise questions about his future with the national team.
Likely Squad for the T20 World Cup 2026
As fans eagerly await the final roster, one likely composition of the squad includes:
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Shubman Gill (VC)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Axar Patel
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
Upcoming Matches and Group Stage Schedule
India’s group stage schedule for the T20 World Cup includes:
- February 7, 2026: India vs. USA at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- February 12, 2026: India vs. Namibia at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- February 15, 2026: India vs. Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- February 18, 2026: India vs. Netherlands at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
T20I Series Against New Zealand
Before the World Cup, India will have a five-match T20I series against New Zealand:
- 1st T20I: January 21, 2026, Nagpur
- 2nd T20I: January 23, 2026, Raipur
- 3rd T20I: January 25, 2026, Guwahati
- 4th T20I: January 28, 2026, Vizag
- 5th T20I: January 31, 2026, Trivandrum
As the competition approaches, all eyes will be on the selected squad and their preparation in the run-up to this major tournament on the global cricketing calendar.
