India’s 15-member squad sparks debate
India’s 15-member T20 World Cup 2026 squad has triggered a big selection debate after the omission of vice-captain Shubman Gill and young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. In their place, the selectors have backed Sanju Samson as first-choice opener, with Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh returning to the ICC tournament squad.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav have stressed that the focus this time is on role clarity, power-hitting and squad balance rather than just big names. This decision has immediately become a major talking point ahead of India’s title defence at the global event.
Why Yashasvi Jaiswal’s strong case still failed
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s numbers in T20 cricket remain among the most impressive for an Indian youngster, both in internationals and the IPL. In the last three IPL seasons he has crossed 500 runs twice, scored two centuries and consistently operated at a strike rate around 160, underlining his value as an aggressive top-order batter.
He also shone in domestic T20s with a 49-ball century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making him one of the most destructive left-handed openers in the circuit. Yet, despite this form, he played very few T20Is over the last 18 months and eventually lost his place in the World Cup plans as team roles changed and competition intensified.
Shubman Gill’s form dip and Samson’s rise
Shubman Gill entered the T20 cycle as vice-captain and a long-term all-format project, but a prolonged lean patch in T20Is hurt his chances. Across multiple series he failed to score a single half-century in 15 innings and struggled to maintain the required strike rate for a top-order T20 batter.
In the same period, Sanju Samson grabbed his chances at the top alongside Abhishek Sharma, scoring heavily and adding three T20 centuries to his name for India and in franchise cricket. With Samson offering both explosive starts and a wicketkeeping option, the management felt he was better suited to the high-tempo template India wants in this World Cup.
Why Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh made the cut
Ajit Agarkar has clearly indicated that the selectors prioritised a wicketkeeper who can open, which tilted the balance in favour of Ishan Kishan. Kishan was the highest run-getter in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season for Jharkhand, scoring over 500 runs and leading them to their maiden title while batting at a brisk strike rate.
Rinku Singh’s inclusion is about his specialist finishing role, with India determined to back a proven death-overs hitter who can absorb pressure and clear the ropes from ball one. His success in finishing games for India and in the IPL convinced the selectors to prefer him over Jitesh Sharma and other middle-order options for the World Cup.
Abhishek Sharma: The biggest roadblock for Jaiswal
The biggest single factor behind Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion is the emergence of Abhishek Sharma as a complete T20 package. The left-hander has been in red-hot form with a strike rate close to 190, multiple fifties and key knocks against top sides, alongside useful left-arm spin that offers vital overs in the powerplay and middle phase.
With Abhishek locked in as the attacking left-handed opener and Samson, Kishan and Rinku covering wicketkeeping and finishing roles, the selectors felt there was no room left for another specialist top-order left-hander like Jaiswal. As India aim to stay ahead of modern T20 trends, this World Cup squad underlines a clear shift towards multi-skilled players and defined roles over reputation.
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