#WATCH | Patna, Bihar | On his comeback to India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan says, "I am very happy..." pic.twitter.com/R2oKsCd9U2

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2025

The wait was long, the grind was real… Welcome back, Ishan 🇮🇳
[Ishan Kishan | Play With Fire] pic.twitter.com/FLquzdUozi

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) December 20, 2025

“Shubman Gill is short of runs at the moment and missed the last World Cup too. ou are looking at combinations. If your keeper was going to bat, he would bat at the top of the order. Shubman is unfortunate to miss out. Someone has to miss out when you pick 15,” said Ajit Agarkar. 

“Axar Patel, the vice-captain. He is the x-factor with the bat and with the ball. His batting has gone really up there. He can crash the ball everywhere. He's bowling, varying his pace, bowling across the crease. Bringing the speed variation, will get grip and turn. He's also an outstanding fielder. He will be the x-factor, can use him at 5 or 6, and can bowling in the first 6 overs, he's capable of doing that. Him and Hardik Pandya will be the two," said Sunil Gavaskar. 

"Personally I'm very happy for Ishan Kishan. They way he's had to struggle, he's a very destructive player with a 200 in ODI cricket. He's a player for this format. To captain and guide your team to a win, the first title for your state, the return to the team is his reward. We saw him and Shreyas Iyer, what happened after the 2023 World Cup. His way of playing, we have seen before, and whatever else in his life he needed to work on he has worked on, and on his performance," said Harbhajan Singh. 

Mission : T20 World Cup🇮🇳#T20WorldCup #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/sSnOlmsvjP

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 20, 2025

“I'll give Agarkar and selection 10 out of 10. This is not the end of the road (for Gill). This is a situation where combination has been seen first. I'm so happy that Rinku is there in the team, and with him Ishan Kishan is returning. He could be the possible player in the reckoning, we were looking at them in standby but they get the chance. They're in form, you can't take Jitesh when you need someone at 7-8. If a quality player like Shubman is not there, you need a power-packed player and a wicketkeeper at the top of the order. Axar Patel as a vice-captain is a great decision," said Harbhajan Singh. 

Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been rewarded for his fiery performance at the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Ishan, who last played a T20I for Team India in 2023, has been handed over a marvelous comeback in the blue jersey. 

"The omission of Shubman Gill is a surprise. Class act, quality batter. I know he struggled for a few matches, but class always tells in the end. He was coming after a long lay-off and wasn't in rhythm. When you have to go bang-bang, if your natural bent is to play along the ground, it doesn't come easy. We've seen in the IPL he's very good, so the lack of touch might have gone against him. I do hope Shubman takes it in the right spirit. I want the very best for him. Some of these injuries have been freakish," said Sunil Gavaskar on Star Sports. 

“We ask what everyone thinks is the best position. Is anyone compromised? There's a quality player coming in. No one is talking about Jaiswal anymore and he was in the previous World Cup squad. Hopefully we get it right come the World Cup," said Ajit Agarkar. 

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that there will be no standby players in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand series. The reason for this move is that both the tournaments will be played at India's home. 

“We've come to a point, me and Gauti bhai and the other batters, lefty-righty is not what we're looking for. It's a little overrated. We've fixed number 3 for Tilak, 4 for myself, and then whoever is comfortable. We want to fix that role for Tilak so he knows what his role is and is happy in that position," reveals Suryakumar Yadav. 

“When someone's playing Tests and not playing T20s, you can't say it's for combinations. When Sanju and Tilak made those 100s in South Africa last year, the Test team were in Australia. You saw Sanju opening last night and that tells you what the thinking is. With picking a second wicketkeeper for the top," said Ajit Agarkar. 

“Your opinion could differ from mine. Sometimes when you pick players, it's difficult. We still think he's a quality player. You go through ups and downs with forms, but it's more about the combinations you want them playing. Someone has to miss out, it's not because he's not a good player, and fortunately in Indian cricket we have options," said Ajit Agarkar. 

"Shubman Gill is short of runs at the moment and missed last WC too," Chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

The announcement of India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and the T20Is against New Zealand came as a big shock as the selection committee dropped batter Shubman Gill from the team. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who impressed everyone with his knock at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, returned to Team India while all-rounder Axar Patel became the new vice-captain. 

The same squad will play the @IDFCFIRSTBank 5-match T20I series against New Zealand in January.#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ https://t.co/o94Vdqo8j5

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 20, 2025

India's squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia jhas entered the press room and taken his seat. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar will be joining him soon. 

The arrivals begin, tension builds, and decisions loom as squads for #INDvNZ and the mens #T20WorldCup are set to be announced
Watch #TeamIndia's squad announcement | LIVE NOW https://t.co/HCxHPl6kFs pic.twitter.com/JlQAxbadsA

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 20, 2025

Out-of-favour India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan made a compelling case for a T20I recall with a belligerent hundred to power Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title with a 69-run victory over Haryana in Pune on Thursday. Kishan went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums en route to a breathtaking 49-ball 101, as Jharkhand piled up an imposing 262 for 3.

The meeting is reportedly done and Ajit Agarkar and Suryakumar Yadav can now anytime come and address the media to make the highly anticipated announcement. For the unversed, the announcement got delayed because SKY arrived late at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai from Ahmedabad. 

The meeting between the selection committee and skipper Suryakumar Yadav is still underway. The fans around the world are eagerly waiting for the announcement of the squad. Stay tuned with us for all the updates. 

“Nothing's wrong, what's been happening is that the first mistake he's making has been his last mistake. You usually have luck going your way, that's not what's happened with him. Lot of the times when he's trying to play the shot that gets him runs, he's getting out. The bat is turning in his hand trying to play the flick shot. His hand is loose if he is being caught at mid-on or mid-off. Just the bad luck," said Sunil Gavaskar on Star Sports. 

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav has reached the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai for the meeting and announcement. Suryakumar, who flew from Ahmedabad after the fifth T20I against South Africa, reportedly arrived a bit late for the meeting. There will be a slight delay in the presser due to Surya's flight schedule. 

The Selection Committee Meeting for #TeamIndia's squad announcement for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is underway at the BCCI headquarters.#MenInBlue | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/YFWgAoIB8F

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 20, 2025

Big calls ahead of the #T20WorldCup as #RobinUthappa names his Top 5 from #TeamIndia to shine this campaign!🇮🇳
Watch #TeamIndia's squad announcement | LIVE NOW https://t.co/HCxHPl6kFs pic.twitter.com/uWwGowvUk5

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 20, 2025

India Likely 15: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar Likely Stand Bys (5/6): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Shahbaz Ahmed/Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prasidh Krishna.

Clarity of roles or confusion?
Should Team India consider including #YashasviJaiswal for the opening slot for the upcoming T20 World Cup? #RobinUthappa clears the air!
Watch #TeamIndia's squad announcement SAT, 20th DEC, 1.30 PM on Star Sports & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/xaxXVeFJaB

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 20, 2025

"We have a bunch of quality players."#IrfanPathan shows strong faith in #TeamIndia, believing they have what it takes to become the first team to lift the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at home, dominantly and in style.🇮🇳
Watch #TeamIndia's squad announcement | LIVE NOW… pic.twitter.com/bZ8firbCHa

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 20, 2025

Tilak Varma, who showcased his big-match potential during the Asia Cup final against Pakistan and has a stupendous record in run-chases and at number three, is also another expected easy pick in the squad. This year in 20 T20Is, he has scored 567 runs at an average of 47.25, with a strike rate of over 129, including four fifties in 18 innings and a best score of 73.

There is no stopping Team India this year as they just won their eighth successive T20I series win and marked their 14th T20I successive series unbeaten after they beat South Africa by 30 runs at Ahmedabad on Saturday. Suryakumar Yadav and Co now aim to continue to their momentum in the T20Is against New Zealand, which will be the dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup 2026. 

The star opener Abhishek Sharma looks to be a guaranteed starter in the tournament, having a dream run in T20 cricket this year, be it franchise cricket or the Indian team. This year, he has scored 859 runs in 21 matches and innings at an average of 42.95 and a SR of above 193, with a century and five fifties as an opener.

India is placed in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States and will start its T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai.

The Chief selector Ajit Agarkar arrived at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters ahead of India's squad selection for T20 World Cup and T20I series against New Zealand next year on Saturday. The Indian team squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and the T20I series against New Zealand in January will be announced by skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Agarkar.

While there is a good chance that the 15 selected against South Africa for the home assignment will also play against New Zealand and subsequently the T20 World Cup, Yashasvi Jaiswal's name is almost certain to come up as he has shown himself to be a more versatile T20 player compared to both Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson.

The reserve opener's slot currently belongs to Sanju Samson, who was wrongfully displaced from his position when the selection committee and an important member of the team think-tank decided to fix something that wasn't broken. In the fifth T20I against SA, Samson replaced Gill as the opener and scored 37 off 22 balls. This included four boundaries and two sixes. 

While nobody in BCCI is spelling it out, the global event in India could well be the last for Suryakumar Yadav as national T20 skipper. He is already 35 and has been out of form for the past one year. Having endured a barren run for almost 14 months and across 24 games, Suryakumar is holding on to his place only because he is the captain.

The report from the Indian Express made another big revelation. The selection committee had already locked in pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, with two all-rounders, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube in the squad. The team is likely to stick with the formula of two wicket-keepers Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma.

According to a report by the Indian Express, the selectors are stuck with three names before announcing the squad for the T20 World Cup. First name is of Shubman Gill, whose recent form in  T20Is has become a topic of concern. The other two names are of all-rounder Washington Sundar and batter Rinku Singh. 

For the time being, there aren't any slots up for grabs although Shubman Gill's position has repeatedly come under scanner while an in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal waits in the wings. It remains to be seen if the selectors name Jaiswal as an extra player for the New Zealand series just to observe him in case he is needed during the mega-event to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

"If you are wondering why Shubman Gill has been picked-if you have appointed someone vice-captain, you won't pivot that soon. I am not going to put my neck on the line and say that Shubman definitely will be the vice-captain. The team might leave the vice-captain slot open, or they might appoint Hardik Pandya just to keep their options open," said Aakash Chopra. 

Former Indian cricket team batter Aakash Chopra believes that Shubman Gill is likely to remain the vice-captain for the T20 World Cup 2026, though he added that Hardik Pandya could also emerge as a viable option.

Hardik Pandya scored 63 in just 25 balls, with five fours and five sixes each during the fifth T20I against South Africa. His runs came at a strike rate of 252.00. While bowling, he did give away 41 runs in three overs, but got the prized wicket of Dewald Brevis, who was just taking off, cutting his knock short at 17-ball 31, with three fours and two sixes.

On Friday, India defeated South Africa by 30 runs in a high-scoring 5th T20I match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this win, India clinched the five-match series 3-1. For the unversed, the fourth T20I got abandoned due to fog in Lucknow. 

The Senior Men’s Selection Committee will meet at the BCCI headquarters, Mumbai, on Saturday, December 20, to pick India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The press conference will be addressed by skipper Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar at 1:30 PM. 

The BCCI would be at liberty to replace any of the named 15 till the start of the T20 World Cup on February 7. For the record, during the Champions Trophy earlier this year, Varun Chakravarthy replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal after slow tracks in Dubai were taken into consideration.

Seeing Shubman Gill's back-to-back struggles in the shortest formats, the selectors are likely to snatch the vice-captaincy from him. Though he is expected to retain his spot in the team, Gill's form will be a big topic of discussion for the selectors. 

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy Shubman Gill's indifferent form is a massive concern but the national selection committee is unlikely to make any shocking changes when it picks the 15-member squad for next year's T20 World Cup.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the announcement for India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad and the T20Is against New Zealand. Stay tuned for all the live updates.