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India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Ishan Kishan & Rinku Singh Return; Shubman Gill Axed in Major Shake-up
The wait is finally over. In a high-octane announcement from the BCCI Headquarters in Mumbai, the selection committee has pulled the curtain back on the 15 warriors tasked with defending India's crown at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Led by the world’s top-ranked T20 batter, Suryakumar Yadav, the squad reflects a "brave new world" philosophy-prioritizing raw strike rates and recent domestic form over past reputations. While the return of Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh has sparked celebrations, the exclusion of former vice-captain Shubman Gill has sent shockwaves through the fan base.
The Squad Breakdown: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
| Role | The Chosen 15 |
|---|---|
| Top Order | Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Abhishek Sharma |
| Middle Order | Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh |
| All-Rounders | Axar Patel (VC), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar |
| Spin Wizards | Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy |
| Pace Battery | Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana |
The "Kishan-Rinku" Factor: Rewarding Impact
The inclusion of Ishan Kishan is a testament to the "perform or perish" culture. After being sidelined, Kishan decimated the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, amassing 517 runs at a terrifying strike rate of 197.32. His century in the final against Haryana proved he is the big-match player India needs at the top.
Similarly, Rinku Singh - the designated finisher - finds his rightful place back in the 15. With the tournament being played in high-pressure conditions, Rinku’s ice-cold temperament at the death was deemed non-negotiable by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar.
The Heartbreak: Why Shubman Gill Missed Out
The biggest casualty of this selection is Shubman Gill. Despite being the deputy to SKY just months ago, a "lost year" in T20Is cost him dearly.
The Numbers: 291 runs in 15 innings.
The Impact: A strike rate of 137.26 was deemed too slow for the modern T20 powerplay.
The Injury: A foot injury sustained in Lucknow further hampered his chances, allowing the likes of Abhishek Sharma to leapfrog him in the pecking order.
Leadership Pivot: Axar Patel is the New Deputy
In a strategic move, Axar Patel has been reinstated as the Vice-Captain. The team management reportedly values Axar’s tactical "cricket IQ" and his status as a three-dimensional player who can bowl in the powerplay, pinch-hit in the middle, and field like a dream.
Roadmap to the Trophy: The NZ Dress Rehearsal
This 15-man squad won't just sit and wait for the World Cup. They will immediately fly out for a grueling five-match T20I series against New Zealand (Jan 21–31). This series will act as the final laboratory for Coach and Captain to decide their starting XI.
"We aren't looking at names; we are looking at numbers and intent. This squad represents the most explosive version of Indian T20 cricket." - BCCI Insider
Keywords: India T20 World Cup Squad2026,IshanKishanComeback,Shubman Gill Dropped News.
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