New Delhi:
In a major shake-up ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday dropped Shubman Gill from the squad and removed him as vice-captain, naming all-rounder Axar Patel as his replacement.
The decision was announced at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, where chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed the squad for both the T20 World Cup and the upcoming five-match home T20I series against New Zealand in January.
Gill’s exclusion comes after a prolonged slump in white-ball cricket. The 26-year-old batter has managed just 291 runs in his last 15 T20Is, averaging 24.25, prompting selectors to take what Agarkar described as a “performance-based call.”
Why Axar Patel Was Chosen as Vice-Captain
Explaining the leadership change, Agarkar said Axar was the most logical choice given his past experience and consistent presence in the side.
“Shubman was the vice-captain, but he’s not in the team, so someone else had to be vice-captain. When Shubman wasn’t playing T20Is earlier and was focused on Test cricket, Axar was the vice-captain,” Agarkar said.
Axar Patel had previously served as India’s deputy during the five-match T20I series against England in early 2025, further strengthening his case for the role.
Suryakumar Retained Despite Form Concerns
Interestingly, Suryakumar Yadav continues as captain despite facing criticism over his own form. The T20 specialist has scored 244 runs in his last 22 innings without registering a single half-century. However, the selectors have backed his leadership credentials and past success in the format.
India enter the tournament as defending champions, having defeated South Africa in a thrilling final at the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados.
Road to the T20 World Cup 2026
The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, featuring 20 teams. India will begin their campaign on February 7 in Mumbai against the USA, having been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, the Netherlands, Namibia, and the United States.
Before the global event, India will play five home T20Is against New Zealand from January 21, which will serve as the final international preparation for the World Cup.
India’s Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Rinku Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Washington Sundar
- Ishan Kishan
Gill’s omission marks one of the boldest selection calls in recent years, underlining the selectors’ message that form and role clarity will outweigh reputation as India defends its T20 crown in 2026.