On December 20, 2025, the BCCI formally introduced the 15-member squad that may defend India’s title on the T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the squad displays a large youth-driven transition, rewarding explosive home type and specialised roles over seniority.
India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad beneath Suryakumar Yadav
The return of Ishan Kishan after his home brilliance and the promotion of Axar Patel to vice-captain outline this new-age staff. This squad is constructed on the philosophy of intent from ball one, that includes power-hitters like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma alongside the world’s top-ranked T20 bowler, Varun Chakravarthy.
Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar emphasised that the choice was based mostly on tactical mixtures relatively than simply particular person stats, guaranteeing the staff has a number of bowling choices and left-right batting pairs. The defending champions enter the match with a mixture of established match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah and uncooked, high-pace expertise like Harshit Rana. Nonetheless, the 2026 roster marks the top of an period, as a number of legends and stars who had been a part of the 2024 World Cup-winning squad have both retired or been omitted to make approach for this new era.
7 Indian gamers who featured in T20 World Cup 2024 however gained’t play in 2026 version
The 2026 squad sees the absence of a number of key figures from the Barbados victory. Here’s a breakdown of the gamers who helped India win in 2024 however are lacking from this title protection:
1. Rohit Sharma (Retired)
The 2024 successful captain bowed out on the final excessive. After main India to the title in Barbados, Rohit retired from T20Is as the best run-scorer within the format’s historical past on the time. His absence leaves a void in management and energy on the high.
2. Virat Kohli (Retired)
Following his “Participant of the Match” efficiency within the 2024 Closing, Kohli introduced his retirement from T20Is. He determined to give attention to the longer format (ODI), that means the 2026 World Cup would be the first T20 mega-event with out the “King” since 2010.
3. Ravindra Jadeja (Retired)
The veteran all-rounder retired from T20Is alongside Rohit and Kohli. The administration has now totally transitioned to Axar Patel and Washington Sundar to fill the spin-bowling all-rounder slots that Jadeja occupied for over a decade.
Additionally READ: Why Shubman Gill was left out of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad? Ajit Agarkar explains
4. Rishabh Pant (Omitted/Tactical Shift)
Within the largest tactical shock, Rishabh Pant was unnoticed of the 15-member squad. The selectors most popular the opening explosive potential of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, noting that they wished “wicketkeepers who can bat on the very high of the order.”
5. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Omitted)
Regardless of being a daily in 2024, Jaiswal missed out because the selectors backed the all-out assault fashion of Abhishek Sharma. The choice was based mostly on discovering the correct mixture to associate with the wicketkeeper-openers.
6. Mohammed Siraj (Omitted)
Siraj, a key pacer within the 2024 marketing campaign, misplaced his spot to Harshit Rana. The selectors opted for Rana’s uncooked tempo and his means to contribute with the bat decrease down the order, alongside the specialist abilities of Arshdeep Singh.
7. Yuzvendra Chahal (Omitted)
Chahal, who didn’t get a recreation within the 2024 match, has lastly been moved previous in favor of Varun Chakravarthy. With Chakravarthy at the moment ranked because the World No. 1 T20 bowler, Chahal’s path again into the squad was successfully blocked.
Additionally READ: Fans left shocked as BCCI drops Shubman Gill from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad
