In what comes as a major surprise, Shubman Gill has been left out of the Indian cricket team picked for the T20 World Cup 2026.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member India squad for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Saturday.
Suryakumar Yadav continues as the India T20 captain of the team with Axar Patel stepping up as his deputy in Gill’s absence.
Gill, who is India’s captain in the ODI and Test cricket and usually deputises for Suryakumar in the shortest format, has been battling with fitness issues recently.
Sanju Samson, who had lost his opening spot to Gill in the Indian playing XI, is, however, in the squad and could see himself favoured as Abhishek Sharma’s partner up the order.
However, Samson will have competition from the returning Ishan Kishan, who has earned a call back to the national setup after almost two years, thanks to his domestic form. He recently finished as the top run scorer at the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, leading Jharkhand to their maiden SMAT title.
Kishan, who is a wicket-keeper and specialist opener like Samson, last played for India in 2023.
The in-form Tilak Varma is also in the squad along with bowling aces Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, currently the world No. 1 T20 bowler.
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