India T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Announced: No Shubman Gill; Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh & Ishan Kishan Make Comebacks
The BCCI selectors have announced India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, and it has already sparked intense debate among fans and experts. The biggest talking point from the selection is the absence of Shubman Gill, one of India’s most consistent performers across formats, while Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, and Ishan Kishan have earned notable comebacks to the national setup.
The squad reflects a clear shift in India’s T20 strategy, with selectors prioritising power-hitting depth, role clarity, and flexibility over reputation. With the tournament set to be played in subcontinent conditions, team management appears focused on players who can handle spin, accelerate in the middle overs, and finish strongly.
Shubman Gill Left Out: A Bold Call
Shubman Gill’s exclusion has come as a surprise to many. Widely regarded as one of India’s finest batters, Gill’s omission suggests that selectors are drawing a clear line between ODI/Test excellence and T20-specific impact. While Gill has shown flashes of brilliance in T20s, inconsistency in strike rate and role clarity may have worked against him.
The decision underlines India’s evolving T20 philosophy — selecting players best suited for explosive, high-tempo cricket rather than relying solely on all-format stars.
Sanju Samson’s Redemption Arc Continues
Among the biggest positives from the squad announcement is the return of Sanju Samson, who has been rewarded for his maturity, leadership, and improved consistency. The wicketkeeper-batter’s recent performances showcased his ability to anchor when needed and explode against spin — a vital asset in T20 World Cups.
Samson’s comeback also provides India with tactical flexibility, allowing the team to rotate wicketkeepers and batting positions depending on match conditions.
Rinku Singh: The Finisher India Trusts
Rinku Singh’s inclusion comes as little surprise. Over the past few seasons, he has established himself as one of India’s most reliable finishers. Calm under pressure and fearless at the death, Rinku offers exactly what India has lacked in previous ICC tournaments — composure in crunch moments.
His selection signals continuity in India’s middle- and lower-order plans, with selectors backing proven match-winners.
Ishan Kishan Returns with Renewed Purpose
After spending time out of the national side, Ishan Kishan has staged a strong comeback, driven by aggressive top-order batting and improved shot selection. As a left-handed opener who can dominate the powerplay, Kishan adds balance to India’s batting lineup and provides an attacking alternative at the top.
His return also increases competition for opening spots, ensuring depth and adaptability during the tournament.
What the Squad Selection Tells Us
This squad announcement makes one thing clear: India is building a T20 team based on roles, not reputations. With bold omissions and carefully considered comebacks, the selectors appear focused on assembling a unit capable of handling pressure, adapting to conditions, and finishing games decisively.
As the countdown to the T20 World Cup 2026 begins, all eyes will now be on how these selections translate into performances on the field — and whether this refreshed approach can finally deliver another ICC trophy for Team India.
India T20 World Cup squad
Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Axar Patel (vice-capt) Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan
