BCCI announce new Vice-Captain for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after dropping Shubman Gill

Indian selectors have shocked the cricket world by dropping Shubman Gill from the squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Shubman Gill has been left out entirely as the team focuses on form, balance, and impact roles at the top despite the fact that he was the vice-captain in T20Is.

In September, Shubman Gill returned to the Indian T20I team, and that too as the vice-captain, as the selectors were looking to make him the all-format captain after handing him the reins of the Test and ODI teams. However, Gill failed to meet the expectations in the shorter format of the game.

Shubman Gill dropped, Axar Patel named India's new vice-captain

Following a string of poor performances, Shubman Gill was dropped from the T20I side, and in a bold move, Axar Patel has been named vice-captain to assist Suryakumar Yadav at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The experienced all-rounder brings stability and leadership experience to the side.

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The Indian all-rounder previously stepped in as vice-captain when Gill was rested for the home T20I series against England and now gets the big honor for the World Cup and the home series against the Black Caps next year.

Axar Patel picked ahead of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah

Interestingly, the Indian selectors picked Axar ahead of the likes of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah despite their strong performances. Both Pandya and Bumrah had previously captained India in a couple of T20Is, yet they were overlooked for the spin all-rounder.

Axar’s experience as captain of Delhi Capitals in the IPL adds to his credentials. DC started IPL 2025 strongly under him but finished fifth after a mixed run. His IPL leadership and prior stint as India’s stand-in vice-captain made him a safe choice for the selectors.

Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated, "Shubman was the vice-captain; he's not in the team. Axar was the vice-captain when the T20s used to clash. About continuity, you're looking at combinations.”

Axar Patel will be the x-factor: Sunil Gavaskar

Meanwhile, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar predicted that Axar Patel will be India’s X-factor at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He praised Axar’s ability to make an impact with both bat and ball, noting his aggressive hitting, clever variations in bowling, and strong fielding.

Read Also: Sunil Gavaskar gives blunt advice to Shubman Gill after T20 World Cup setback

Sunil Gavaskar said on JioStar: “Axar Patel, the vice-captain. He is the x-factor with the bat and with the ball. His batting has really gone up there. He can crash the ball everywhere. He's bowling, varying his pace, bowling across the crease.

Bringing the speed variation will get grip and turn. He's also an outstanding fielder. He will be the x-factor; you can use him at 5 or 6, and he can bowl in the first 6 overs. He's capable of doing that. He and Hardik Pandya will be the two.”

India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand series:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rinku Singh.