Six scheduled T20Is remain before India begin their campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 that begins on February 7. India are the co-hosts of the showpiece event along with neighbours Sri Lanka. After the upcoming T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad, India will host New Zealand for five T20Is in January. With the World Cup not too far away, when will the squad be announced?
Sources suggest that India's preliminary squad for T20 World Cup 2026 is likely be announced on Saturday (December 20). Remember, India's final game of the series against South Africa in Ahmedabad takes place a day earlier, December 19. It might seem like India are announcing their squad a bit too early, given that no other team has finalised their squad yet, but there are two sides to this.
The T20I leg of New Zealand's tour to India only starts in the middle of January and clearly, the selectors and team management feel that it is important to give the World Cup-bound players mental security in advance. The other angle to this is that ICC regulations will allow for replacements till a later date, if India do want to take that route.
Some #Cricket news
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) December 18, 2025
The selection meeting for India's #WorldT20 squad as well squads for NZ series is likely to be held on Saturday (Dec 20th) at @BCCI headquarters. No major shockers expected although @ICC has the provision of replacing personnel before start of tourney.
For now, the major debate continues to be around Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson. Reports suggest that both will make the squad with Samson currently the back-up keeper and back-up opener in the squad. This could, of course, change if Samson grabs his chance at Ahmedabad and then gets to start in the New Zealand series.
However, with Gill also being given the vice-captaincy, it does seem like the selectors and team management might give a much longer rope to Gill. The squad that was picked for the South Africa series could be the chosen lot for the World Cup too, with the injured absentee Axar Patel being the only change for Shahbaz Ahmed.
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India might also want to think about Rinku Singh, given that he is the only genuine finisher in their setup with a proven T20I record. However, the UP batter can only make the squad if the selectors decide to reduce their all-rounder count, in which case Washington Sundar could make way for Rinku.
