List of Indian Players who will play their first T20 World Cup in 2026

There will be as many as five Indian players who will be featuring in the marquee event for the first time. Sanju Samson has not played a match in the T20 World Cup, but has not been kept on the list because he has been part of the tournament before.

Since Suryakumar Yadav took up the role of captaincy of the T20 team in 2024 and joined hands with head coach Gautam Gambhir, several youngsters have gotten a chance to showcase their skills. Also, after the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli,

and Ravindra Jadeja retired from the format. India had to go through a transition period, but Suryakumar and Co. have not lost a T20I series so far.

In this article, let's take a look at the five Indian players who will be playing the T20 World Cup for the first time.

List of Indian Players who will play their first T20 World Cup in 2026:

5. Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma recently underwent surgery after being diagnosed with testicular torsion, raising concerns over his availability for the T20 World Cup. However, many believe that the southpaw will recover in time for the 20-team tournament.

Tilak has been a dependable batter for India in the shortest format. He played a gem of an innings in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan last year. Also, his back-to-back centuries in South Africa showed that he is an immensely skilful player.

4. Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana is one of the most controversial cricketers at the moment. Some feel that the Kolkata Knight Riders' pacer gets more backing from head coach Gautam Gambhir than others, despite failing to perform consistently. However, a tall fast bowler, who can bowl in the range of 145 kph, and tonk the ball down the order, could add a lot of value to a side.

Rana has played six T20Is so far. He has picked up seven wickets at an average of 24.71. His economy rate in the shortest format is a dismal 10.18. The 24-year-old might not get too many games during the tournament, as Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are expected to be India's first-choice seam-bowling duo in the World Cup.

3. Rinku Singh

Many believed that Rinku Singh was unlucky to miss out on a spot in India's squad for the last edition of the T20 World Cup in 2024. The batter had travelled to the Americas and the Caribbean for the 2024 edition, but only as a standby player. However, the diminutive batter continued to work hard behind the scenes and has deservedly earned a call-up to the side for the impending edition of the global event.

The Uttar Pradesh batter has played 35 T20Is so far. He has amassed 550 runs at an average of 42.31 and a strike rate of 161.77. Rinku, having the reputation of a finisher, is unlikely to feature in the Playing XI, though, as Gambhir and Suryakumar have shown an affinity towards picking all-rounders instead of specialists in the middle order.

2. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar could have a key role to play in the T20 World Cup. He has improved his batting considerably in recent times and has versatility with the ball, having the skills required to operate in the powerplay as well as in the middle overs.

While he may not play each and every game, the Men in Blue could use him against teams which have a plethora of left-handed batters. The 26-year-old has played 58 T20Is, scoring 254 runs in 24 innings at a strike rate of 134.40 and picking up 51 wickets at an economy rate of 6.92.

1. Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma is one of the batters to watch out for in the 2026 T20 World Cup. He has been in exhilarating form ever since he scored a breathtaking century in his second T20I appearance against Zimbabwe in July 2024.

In 33 T20Is, the Punjab batter has slammed 1115 runs at an average of 35.97 and a strike rate of 188.03. Abhishek will look to get the defending champions off to some flying starts, making it easier for the batters to follow. The Amritsar-born, who will be seen opening for the side at the event, is also the No. 1