The Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2026 will be announced on Saturday. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar will also address a press conference. The big questions are around the wicket-keeper role, whether they will be looking at a back up opener and who will be the middle order options. The primary focus of the meeting will be selecting the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, alongside the squad for the preceding five-match T20I series against New Zealand. This will be an initial squad which will be submitted and any changes due to injury can be made later before the tournament starts. It is expected that the squad for New Zealand series and WT20 will be the same.
Shubman Gill’s overall T20I record has not been up to the mark. He
has made just 869 runs in 36 games at a poor average and strike rate of 28.03 and 138.59. Since his comeback in 2025, he has scored 291 runs in 15 games at an average of 24.25 at a strike-rate of 137.25. He is likely to retain his spot in the squad though as he was named vice captain. The biggest question is if they will pick a backup opener like Jaiswal or keep Sanju Samson as a possible option for opening. Ishan Kishan scoring a century in SMAT but Jitesh is likely to retain the spot. Rinku Singh is another player there will be debates on. Rinku Singh was dropped for the South Africa series and India dint opt for a backup middle order batter. Shreyas Iyer who has been out of favour is unlikely to make the cut unless a last minute surprises.
India’s road to the 2026 T20 World Cup is officially announced, with the hosts set to begin their campaign on February 7 in Mumbai against the USA. Following the opening match, India will travel to Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium to face Namibia on February 12. The group stage will then take them across the border to Colombo for a high-stakes clash with Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15, before they conclude their Group A fixtures on February 18 against the Netherlands at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. New Zealand T20I series will begin on January 21.
