Predicted India squad for the T20 World Cup 2026

The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup is set to commence on February 07, 2026, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. A total of 20 teams will participate in this tournament. A couple of days ago, the ICC announced the World Cup schedule. 

All 20 teams have been divided into 4 groups. Each group consists of 5 teams. After the conclusion of the group stage, the top-2 teams of each group will advance to the second round—Super 8. In this round, 8 teams will once again divide into two groups, and the top two teams from this round of each group will advance into the semi-finals. Following this, both semi-final winners will compete against each other in the tournament finals. 

The defending champions, India, are kept in Group A along with archrivals Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia. For the mega event, the Indian team has already started their preparation. On home soil, this will be the best chance to retain the trophy. If India successfully clinches the title, then they will become the first team to win 2 consecutive T20 World Cups. 

Following the T20 World Cup 2024, Suryakumar Yadav became India’s T20 captain. Under his captaincy, India didn’t lose any T20I series, either away or at home. India defeated Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Australia in bilateral series on away tours. While at home, India defeated England and Bangladesh. India also won the Asia Cup 2025 while remaining undefeated.

Currently, India is hosting South Africa for a 5-match T20I series. After the conclusion of the first 4 T20Is, India is leading 2-1. After South Africa, the Indian team will also host the New Zealand team for a 5-match T20I series. This will be the last T20I assignment before the World Cup. 

In a couple of days, Team India will announce the squad for the New Zealand T20I series. And it is almost confirmed that the players selected for this series will also form the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. The official World Cup squad is expected to be announced in the first week of January 2026. 

It is almost confirmed that the current No. 1 T20I batter in the ICC rankings, Abhishek Sharma, will feature as the first-choice opener and will definitely be part of the playing XI. However, uncertainty remains over his opening partner—will it be vice-captain Shubman Gill or wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson? It means they both will be in the World Cup squad.

Following them, Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav will feature in the middle order. In the all-rounder category, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel are almost certain to play in the World Cup, while one of Washington Sundar or Rinku Singh is likely to get the ticket to the mega event. Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson will be the two wicketkeepers. In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana will be the three frontline fast bowlers, while Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy will lead the spin attack.

Predicted India Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Suryakumar Yadav ©, Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakrawarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar