Exclusive | Shreyas Iyer In Line For Captaincy As BCCI Prepare 2-Team Structure For T20Is
BCCI plans to build a 30 to 35 player T20 pool from IPL 2026 to field two competitive teams amid overlapping international fixtures this year.
- BCCI plans a 30-35 player pool to field two competitive T20 teams simultaneously
- Asian Games and India vs West Indies T20 series will occur at the same time
- Team likely led by Shreyas Iyer, focusing on depth and readiness for global calendar
Indian cricket's talent pipeline has given the selectors an opportunity to think big. With the IPL continuing to churn out match-ready performers, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning on building a 30-35 player pool capable of fielding two competitive T20 sides simultaneously. Plans beyond a single core squad have to be framed immediately as India faces overlapping international commitments later this year, with the Asian Games clashing with a T20 series against the West Indies.
A BCCI official told NDTV, "The Asian Games and India vs West Indies T20 Series are going to be at the same time. So we have to look at two T20 teams playing. It is important from now to have a pool of 30-35 cricketers who can be called up for International assignments. For the upcoming Ireland tour, like most tours to UK, a bigger pool of players will be kept in the squad. This will extend for the Asian Games."
The Board is actively planning for parallel assignments this year and in the future as well since cricket is now a part of multi discipline sporting fixtures as well, including the Olympic Games in 2028. The emphasis is on depth, flexibility, and readiness. These are the qualities increasingly demanded in a packed global calendar.
The upcoming Ireland tour is expected to serve as a testing ground. Tours like these have traditionally been used to blood fringe players. This tour could now feature an expanded squad, mirroring the long-term vision of a larger talent pool extending through the Asian Games. India are also set to play Afghanistan in a 3-match T20I series in September, though the schedule for the tournament is yet to be finalised.
The names under consideration reflect the IPL's growing influence. In the batting department, talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Priyansh Arya and Angkrish Raghuvanshi have caught the selectors' attention with their fearless strokeplay. The likes of Rajat Patidar and Ayush Badoni are also on the selectors' radar.
The all-rounder slot, often the backbone of T20 balance, could see opportunities for players like Shashank Singh, and Anukul Roy, the cricketers who bring versatility and adaptability.
On the bowling front, there is a mix of youth and experience. Ravi Bishnoi continues to be a standout in white-ball cricket, while Khaleel Ahmed (depending on availability), Prasidh Krishna, Ashok Sharma, and Kartik Tyagi offer them with pace options.
Behind the stumps, Dhruv Jurel is among the leading contenders. It is likely to be a team led by Punjab Kings Captain, Shreyas Iyer.
With IPL throwing up a massive pool of youngsters, Indian cricket is preparing to utilise their services by making a parallel force capable of winning and defending titles. Keeping up with the demands of international cricket and coping up with the challenges of changed international fixtures will require two strong T20 teams, that could soon become a necessity.
It is a message to all youngsters this IPL season that BCCI is not just looking for the best 15, but the best 35.
India Cricket Team