India's ICC T20 World Cup Playing XI based on the 15-member squad

The Indian National Men's Selection Committee recently announced the final 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup, and after some significant changes have been spotted, here is the probable playing XI for the World Cup.

Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan returned to the Indian side at the back of their SMAT dominance. Especially Ishan Kishan, the left-handed batter from Jharkhand, dominated at the top and helped Jharkhand to their recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title. He was also the highest run-getter in SMAT 2025 and scored two centuries.

India's 15-member Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wk), and Rinku Singh.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

India to settle with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as openers

India cannot make any change to the opening spot held by Abhishek Sharma. The left-handed batter has scored 1000+ runs since his debut in less than 30 games and was the second fastest to do it for India. He bats with a career strike rate of nearly 180 and has delivered under the toughest of conditions for India.

Abhishek will be paired alongside Sanju Samson, the other wicket-keeper batsman who saw a dip in his form after being removed from his usual spot at the top of the order. However, Samson played in the final T20 against South Africa and helped India gain momentum early in the innings with a half-century partnership with Abhishek.

Hence, the opening spot remains guaranteed, with Ishan Kishan acting as a backup since he can also be a possible opener if India needs to bench Sanju Samson due to injuries or form.

All-rounders form the power-packed middle-order for India

Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav will be the two batters in the transition between the top order and the middle order. Despite Surya's poor patch in international cricket, he will continue to be part of the team as the captain of the side.

The middle order then has some firepower in the form of the three all-rounders, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. These three remain the three players who played in the previous World Cup in 2024 as well.

Hardik Pandya made a strong comeback in the series against South Africa, as he picked up a handful of wickets and also scored two half-centuries with the bat. Shivam Dube has also excelled with the ball since the Australia tour.

Pace and Spin combined form the balanced bowling deck for India

Gautam Gambhir's tactics seemed to have gotten India the finest bowling deck, with the likes of the two highest wicket-takers from the previous T20 World Cup leading the deck. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will be leading the pace attack.

Varun Chakravarthy, India's most successful T20I spinner in recent times, will be paired alongside Kuldeep Yadav, the World Cup-winning spinner, since the tournament is played in the subcontinent.

India's Playing XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah.

ALSO READ: Fans explode after Shubman Gill’s shock ICC T20 World Cup 2026 snub