India named their squad for the WT20 and New Zealand Series on Saturday. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side with Axar Patel appointed as vice captain. Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson are the two wicket-keeping options. Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel make it to the squad while Washinton Sundar has been preferred as the spinner. Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are the pacers while Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy have also been named in the 15. In a big news Shubman Gill has been dropped from the side.
India’s squad for WT20 2026 and New Zealand T20I series
Suryakumar Yadav ©, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK) Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel(vc), Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana
India enter the tournament as defending champions and have been dominant in T20Is since their 2024 WT20 win in West Indies. Suryakumar Yadav, who took over following the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, India have won 30 of their 34 matches since July 2024, with only four defeats. Suryakumar Yadav who is averaging less than 15 in this format in 2025 has been shown faith by the selectors and coach as he is backed to come good. Ishan Kishan has also been named in the squad in a surprise move.
India are placed in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States. India will start their campaign against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai. The 10th edition of the global event will feature 20 teams, comprising 29 days of high-intensity cricket played at eight venues across India and Sri Lanka, commencing on February 7. Before the T20 World Cup, starting from February, India will host New Zealand for a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and five T20Is, scheduled from January 11 to 31.
