The Indian team is going to be selected for the T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday. The selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar will announce the squad after a meeting in Mumbai. There is a possibility that the team that will be selected for the World Cup will also play in the upcoming series against New Zealand.
The 5-match T20 series between India and New Zealand will start from January 21. The World Cup is to start from 7th February and this series will give Team India the last chance to test its preparations. Before this, the Indian team can give a hint today during the fifth T20 against South Africa in Ahmedabad as to what kind of squad is going to be there for the World Cup.
There is a dilemma regarding the opening partner of Abhishek Sharma. Shubman Gill, who returned to the Indian T20 team from the Asia Cup, has flopped badly so far. He has not been able to score a single half-century in the last 18 innings. Even in the current series against South Africa, Shubman’s bat has not played. He has scored only 32 runs in 3 innings. According to reports, Shubman is not sure to play in Ahmedabad.
There are reports that Shubman suffered a thumb injury during practice in Lucknow. He has gone to Ahmedabad with the team but there is no clarity on whether he will play or not. Sanju Samson may get a chance in the absence of Shubman. Samson had scored 3 centuries in 5 T20I matches last year. Despite this, he is not able to make a place in the playing XI. His direct competition is with Shubman. Today he would like to seize the opportunity and strengthen his claim. If Samson makes a big splash, he may force the management to think again.
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Off-spin all-rounder Washington Sundar’s selection would have been certain had Hardik Pandya not been fit. It was only when Hardik got injured that Sundar was able to get a place in the playing XI for the Australia tour. However, he fits into the strategy of Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir is trusting all-rounders instead of specialist players in the middle order, which may create an opportunity for Sundar.
Sundar’s selection means that Rinku Singh may once again have to stay away from the T20 World Cup. Rinku played only one ball in the Asia Cup, on which he hit a four and helped Team India win the title. His average and strike rate in T20 International can get him a place in any team. But he is not able to figure in the plans of the Indian team management.
Ishan Kishan recently led Jharkhand to victory by scoring 517 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). He was the highest run scorer in the tournament. He also hit more sixes (33) than any other batsman in the SMAT. After this explosive performance, there is a demand to give him another chance in Team India, but it is very difficult for this wicketkeeper batsman to fit in the T20 World Cup squad.
Kishan also usually opens and there are already 3-3 openers in the Indian T20 team. Even as a wicketkeeper, he cannot be kept in the squad as a reserve player, because Samson is for this role.
Even though there is confusion regarding some positions in the batting order of the Indian team, the matter is completely set in bowling. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will be seen leading the pace attack. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakraborty will be the two frontline spinners. Apart from this, Akshar Patel and Shivam Dubey are the options for all-rounders along with Hardik. Harshit Rana can be kept in the squad as a backup fast bowler.
India’s probable squad for T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.
