In a selection that has ignited debate across the cricketing world, Ishan Kishan has officially returned to the Indian national setup. The BCCI announced the 15-man squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup on Saturday, December 20, 2025, rewarding Kishan for a record-breaking domestic season that made his omission impossible to justify.
The “Redemption” Campaign
Kishan’s recall comes on the heels of a historic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) campaign where he captained Jharkhand to their first-ever title.
The Numbers: Kishan finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44.
Final Flourish: He punctuated his comeback with a blistering century (101 off 49 balls) in the final against Haryana, striking at over 197.
The Reaction: Speaking to ANI shortly after the news broke, a delighted Kishan said, “I am very happy. Also very happy for my domestic team, Jharkhand… Everyone played really well!”
The “Gill” Factor: A Tactical Masterclass or Blunder?
The most shocking takeaway from the announcement was the exclusion of Shubman Gill. Despite being the designated vice-captain in recent months, Gill’s dip in T20 form proved fatal.
- Poor 2025 Stats: Gill struggled in the shortest format throughout 2025, averaging just 24.25 with a strike rate of 137.26, failing to register a single fifty or hundred.
- The Agarkar Explanation: Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the snub in the press conference, stating, “Shubman is unfortunate to miss out. Someone has to miss out when you pick 15… we felt a keeper at the top (Kishan) gives us more solidity everywhere else.”
India’s 15-Man T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
| Category | Players |
| Captain | Suryakumar Yadav |
| Vice-Captain | Axar Patel |
| Wicketkeepers | Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson |
| Batters | Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh |
| All-Rounders | Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar |
| Spinners | Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy |
| Pacers | Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana |
What’s Next for Team India?
The squad announced today will also feature in the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which will serve as the final dress rehearsal before the World Cup begins in February 2026. India, the defending champions, will open their campaign against the USA on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.