Overview:
India are spoiled for choices. They can have a Rinku bat at seven and Axar at eight. They can also play Kuldeep and keep Axar/Sundar on the bench.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is set to start from February 7 onwards. The final will be played on March 8. India and Sri Lanka will co-host the coveted tournament. This is the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup.
20 teams are divided into four groups, with defending champions India placed in Group A alongside Namibia, Netherlands, USA and Pakistan. The top 2 teams will reach the Super 8, which will be divided into two groups.
India, under Suryakumar Yadav, will fancy their chances of lifting the trophy. India have won 2 T20 World Cup honours in 2007 and 2024 respectively. India will be out to make history by becoming the first side with three T20 World Cups and the first to win successive titles.
The talking point of the squad was dropping vice-captain Shubman Gill from the 15-member squad. India felt Gill isn’t equipped to be in the side, with other players helping them in terms of combinations. India also handed a recall to Ishan Kishan, who had an excellent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Jharkhand.
India named the same squad for the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand. However, India suffered injury scares in the form of Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma. However, both players are expected to make a return ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, we decode the strengths, weaknesses and analysis of the India side.
India’s squad for T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh
Strengths of Team India
The bowling unit of India has the desired balance on offer. In Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, you get two quality specialists. Arshdeep will be key in the power play overs. Bumrah is known for his exploits at the death. Both players own over 100 T20I scalps.
India will field all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the 3rd pace option. With 100-plus wickets at 26.83, Pandya is a massive figure. Harshit Rana can be an able backup. Another bowler who is solid at the death. However, he has played seven T20Is and has 8 scalps.
The spin department screams out for class. Varun Chakravarthy leads the spin show. He has been a regular feature and leads the spin show. In 35 matches, he has 58 scalps at 15.34.
The left-arm wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav will be handy. He owns 92 scalps at just 13.27.
The third spin option, and a mighty one, is all-rounder Axar Patel. He boasts 83 wickets at 22.16. In Sundar, one gets a 4th spin all-round option. Sundar has bagged 51 scalps from 58 T20Is.
India could field three spinners and three pace options. And then there is Shivam Dube, who too will provide a couple of overs with his medium pace. So altogether, there could be 7 major bowling options. However, for this to happen, Rinku Singh might need to be on the bench.
India’s four all-round options are a strength. Pandya owns 2027 T20I runs at a strike rate of 143.65. Overall in T20s, Pandya strikes at 184.86 in the final 4 overs, as per ESPNcricinfo. This shows his class in the back end. In T20Is, his strike rate is 184.41 in this phase. As mentioned above, he is a successful bowler and guarantees 4 overs.
Meanwhile, Axar is also an experienced figure. He could chip in well when needed and provide stability.
In Sundar and Dube, there are two more quality all-rounders in the mix. Dube owns 684 runs with a strike rate of 142.79 in T20Is. He also owns 26 scalps.
Team India boasts of some terrific batters. You have Abhishek, who can set the stage on fire with his exploits upfront. His strike rate of 190.62 is massive in T20Is. He owns two tons and 7 fifties from 34 innings. Sanju Samson provides company in the opening department. These two can set the base.
Tilak Varma, who has been a revelation at number three, will keep his place. He averages over 60 in this position for India. His strike rate of 160.83 is icing on the cake.
Kishan, who smashed a massive 76 versus New Zealand in the 2nd T20I on January 23 in Rajkot, will lend support from the bench. He is another match-winner in the ranks.
Suryakumar at number 4 is the key figure in this unit. After a dull run in 2025, he looks to be back in form. He hit an unbeaten 82 in the 2nd T20I versus New Zealand.
India have Dube at number 5 and was a part of the T20 World Cup side in 2024. Rinku Singh and Pandya are the finishers of this side. Rinku strikes at 214.68 in the last four overs (T20Is).
Weaknesses of the Indian side
India doesn’t have many weaknesses. They will back themselves to set a strong target and also chase any total in front of them.
India completed 100 T20I matches at home during the 2nd clash versus New Zealand in Rajkot. With 68 wins and 29 losses (Tied: 1, NR: 2), playing at home will see India back themselves to go big.
One weakness is that Bumrah’s fitness can be a concern. However, he might be rested for a couple of games in the group stage. However, it remains to be seen whether he is at full tilt in Super 8s.
India will aim to abstain from depending too much on their top order, which usually fires. India cannot afford to collapse if early wickets fall. The role for Suryakumar and Dube becomes important here. India will also need to stay away from experimenting with finishing roles at times rotated too often.
India’s death over exploits with the ball will need some work.
Predicted starting XI of India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.
Players to watch out for
Abhishek Sharma: His impact and presence will be massive. He can set the tone in the PP overs. With Samson complimenting him, he will be keen to start aggressively. Abhishek will have the license to kill, and he needs to grab the chance to put India in a position of comfort.
Verdict: India are likely to win the tournament
India are spoiled for choices. They can have a Rinku bat at seven and Axar at eight. They can also play Kuldeep and keep Axar/Sundar on the bench. India have depth in batting on the bench in Kishan. Rana is their fallback option in pace with Sundar as a spin all-rounder. And there could be rotation among Rinku, Axar and Kuldeep in terms of opponents and balance.
With the tournament on home soil, India, being the holders and having a strong squad at their disposal, are likely to win the tournament.
Schedule of India in the 2026 T20 World Cup
7 February – India v USA, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
12 February – India vs Namibia, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
15 February – India vs Pakistan, R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium, Colombo
18 February – India vs Netherlands, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
All matches will start at 7:00 pm IST.