The road to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has officially begun with a selection bombshell that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity. As the co-host and defending champion, India became the first nation to unveil its 15-member squad on December 20, 2025, but the headline wasn’t just about who made the cut—it was about the notable absence of Shubman Gill.
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The “Little Master” in Disbelief: Gavaskar on Gill’s Omission
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar did not hold back his surprise regarding the exclusion of Shubman Gill. Despite Gill’s recent struggle for consistency in the shortest format, Gavaskar emphasized that the 26-year-old’s “pedigree” should have outweighed his temporary dip in form.
“It is a surprise,” Gavaskar remarked. “Because he’s a class act. Quality batter… class always tells in the end. Form is temporary. He was coming after a long layoff and wasn’t in rhythm, but the T20 format is not strange for him—we’ve seen his brilliance in the IPL.”
Gavaskar even lightheartedly suggested that Gill’s recent string of freakish injuries and bad luck might require a traditional remedy: “Ghar pe kisi ko bolo nazar utaar de” (Ask someone at home to cast off the evil eye).
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 India’s 15-Member Squad: The New Blueprint
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has clearly prioritized “explosive combinations” over traditional anchors. Suryakumar Yadav remains at the helm, while Axar Patel has been elevated to vice-captain, replacing Gill in the leadership hierarchy.
Key Highlights:
- The Return of Ishan Kishan: After a stellar domestic season where he led Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, Kishan returns as a primary wicketkeeping option.
- The Power Surge: Young sensation Abhishek Sharma is expected to open, supported by the in-form Tilak Varma.
- Bowling Core: Varun Chakravarthy (the current World No. 1 T20 bowler) joins Jasprit Bumrah to lead a lethal attack.
| Category | Players |
| Captain | Suryakumar Yadav |
| Vice-Captain | Axar Patel |
| Wicketkeepers | Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan |
| Batters | Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh |
| All-Rounders | Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar |
| Bowlers | Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy |
Gill dropped as India name T20 World Cup squad; Rinku, Kishan make comebacks
Global Squad Status: Who Else is Ready?
While India is the first to finalize their 15, other nations are in various stages of preparation for the tournament, which begins February 7, 2026.
Sri Lanka (Co-Hosts)
The Lankans have announced a 25-member preliminary group to be trimmed down by late January. Veteran Dasun Shanaka remains the designated leader of the core group.
- Key Names: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Matheesha Pathirana.
Other Nations
- Pakistan, Australia, and England: Expected to announce their provisional squads in the first week of January 2026.
- Italy: In a historic first, Italy has qualified for the event and is expected to be led by veteran Wayne Madsen.
Looking Ahead
The T20 World Cup 2026 will feature 20 teams across 55 matches. With India placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia, the pressure on Suryakumar Yadav’s men to defend their title on home soil is immense.
The exclusion of Gill remains the biggest talking point of the buildup. Was it a masterstroke in favor of “intent,” or a gamble that leaves India without a classic stabilizer? Only the results in February will tell.
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