With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 looming in early 2026, cricket fans are eagerly watching for news on Team India’s lineup. As of late 2025, no official squad has been announced. The BCCI has indicated that the senior selection committee will meet on December 20, 2025, to pick India’s team for the World Cup (along with the preceding T20 series against New Zealand). In a press release, the board stated, The senior men’s selection committee will meet on Saturday to pick India’s squad for the T20I series against New Zealand and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Until that meeting, any squad lists are speculative. Below we summarize the most likely contenders based on form, experience, and expert analysis.
Key Players and Leadership
Cricket analysts expect India’s core leaders to carry forward their momentum into 2026. Suryakumar Yadav—who has captained India in recent T20 series—is widely expected to continue as T20 captain. In fact, one preview notes, “India are likely to continue with Suryakumar Yadav as captain” heading into the 2026 World Cup. All-rounder Axar Patel is expected to retain a senior role (recently reinstated as vice-captain when Suryakumar took over) and is likely a lock in the team. Other established T20 stars like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube bring power-hitting and extra bowling options and are also strong chances for selection. Veteran batsman Rinku Singh, known for his finishing, is reportedly back in the mix, having been recalled after strong performances.
One recent analysis emphasizes that selectors will “back continuity” in picking the squad. It notes that India’s “bowling core looks settled” around Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy, all of whom are likely to be included. Indeed, Bumrah should again spearhead the pace attack, supported by Arshdeep Singh and emerging pacers like Harshit Rana. On the spin front, Kuldeep (left-arm) and Varun (chinaman) bring the variety India favors. In short, most top performers from India’s recent T20 squads—including Suryakumar Yadav, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Varun, Axar, Hardik, and Shivam—are heavily tipped to make the 2026 World Cup side.
Image: Indian players celebrating on the field (representative image). The projected Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 India squad emphasizes a blend of experience and all-round skills. Key batsmen like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), and Tilak Varma are expected to form the top order. In fact, one fantasy preview of India’s World Cup squad lists Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya among the top 15 picks. Wicketkeeper duties may be shared between Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, both of whom have recent form on their side. Meanwhile, the middle order will feature the all-round power of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, plus Axar Patel’s left‑handed spins and Washington Sundar’s off-spin bowling. With so much depth, India can afford to play aggressively at the top and still have batting reinforcements later on.
Batting Depth and All‑Rounders
India’s batting lineup in T20s must cope with the absence of retiring legends. Former captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have already stepped away from T20 internationals, so selectors will rely on younger and in‑form batsmen. In one projection, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are sealed in as the opening pair, replacing the old generation at the top. Both have the aggressive strokeplay suited to powerplay overs. Suryakumar Yadav slots into the middle order at No. 4, where his creativity and strike rate are valuable.
The squad is expected to emphasize multi-dimensional players. As one report notes, “Tilak Varma is expected to stay, while Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar should also make the cut. These all-rounders provide batting depth, bowling options, and athletic fielding. For instance, Washington and Axar contribute spin and lower‑order hitting, while Pandya and Dube offer big‑hitting off-spin. Such players give India flexibility: the batting order can be extended deep, and bowlers can rest or rotate as needed. The likely emphasis is on dynamic, multi-skilled cricketers who can perform in various roles, rather than specialists.
Image: Indian players on the field during a match (representative image). With variety prioritized, the fast bowling attack is anchored by the experienced Jasprit Bumrah (pace) and Arshdeep Singh (swing). The selectors will almost certainly include left‑arm quick Harshit Rana, who has impressed in domestic T20s. The spin trio of Kuldeep, Varun, and Washington Sundar offers a mix of styles (left‑arm wrist spin, chinaman, and off‑spin). All these options ensure India can adjust to any pitch. In short, the batting and bowling units look set to feature both seasoned match-winners and young talent, in line with the theme of “backing continuity” that analysts predict.
Leadership and Legacy Questions
Suryakumar Yadav’s place as captain appears secure, given his tenure since mid-2025. By 2026 he will be one of the senior campaigners, despite being only in his early 30s. Analysts note that despite a relatively modest batting year in 2025, Yadav has “been in command” and is “likely to continue” as captain. It’s expected that Axar Patel will return as vice-captain if needed, as he has been a deputy in past T20 sides.
Meanwhile, the fate of India’s cricketing greats is settled: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have both retired from T20 internationals. Indeed, news sources explicitly report that “Kohli and Rohit, who have retired from T20Is and Test cricket, remain active in the ODI setup . In other words, the question “Will Rohit and Virat play in the 2026 T20 World Cup?” has a clear answer: no. Both have stepped back from the format to prolong their careers in ODIs and Tests. Their absence means slots open for new players. Veterans like Rohit and Kohli will be missed for their experience, but young openers (Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma) and middle-order batsmen (Sanju Samson, Kishan) have the opportunity to cement their places now.
List of Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 15‐Player Squad
While waiting for the official announcement, experts have put together likely lineups. Combining insights from recent discussions, India’s probable World Cup squad might be:
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)—Experienced T20 leader and middle-order batsman.
- Abhishek Sharma—Left-handed opener in great form, struck 213 runs in recent T20Is (though all below fifty).
- Sanju Samson (WK)—A wicketkeeper‑batsman with explosive hitting, expected to open or play at No. 3.
- Tilak Varma—Young left-handed batting all-rounder who adds power and spin bowling options.
- Ishan Kishan (WK)—The wicketkeeper-batsman was recalled after strong domestic performance and adds batting firepower lower down.
- Hardik Pandya—Senior all-rounder (batting and medium‑pace bowling) who finishes innings and contributes in crunch overs.
- Shivam Dube—Big-hitting all-rounder who provides depth in batting and medium-pace bowling.
- Axar Patel—a spin-bowling all-rounder and formerly vice-captain—brings left-arm spin and useful batting.
- Rinku Singh—a finisher known for six-hitting—returned to the squad for his finishing skills.
- Washington Sundar—Off-spinning all-rounder, useful as the third spinner and pinch-hitter.
- Jasprit Bumrah—senior fast bowler and death overs specialist, frontline leader of the pace attack.
- Arshdeep Singh—Left-arm quick, brings swing and power bowling at the death.
- Harshit Rana—Emerging fast bowler with raw pace, likely to get a spot after consistent domestic performances.
- Kuldeep Yadav—left-arm wrist spinner, India’s premier T20 spin weapon.
- Varun Chakravarthy—a Chinaman spinner with mystery spin; a deadly wicket-taker in limited-overs.
Each of the above names appears in recent predictions. Notably missing in these projections are players like Shubman Gill or Jitesh Sharma, both of whom have been mentioned elsewhere, indicating that the 2026 squad will prioritize the above combination of form and experience.
Outlook
In summary, the final Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 India squad has not yet been officially announced. The BCCI’s December 2025 selection meeting will confirm the team. Until then, we rely on expert consensus and current form to sketch the likely squad. Current indications are that the squad will feature a mix of proven stars (Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, etc.) and multi-talented youth (Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, and Harshit Rana) to maintain India’s balance. As one report concluded, selectors are expected to “back continuity” while also injecting fresh energy into the side. Fans can expect the official list soon—when it is released, India’s squad will reflect this blend of experience and new blood, aimed at defending their status as world champions on home soil.
