ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Predicted Playing XI for Team India

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be a landmark event in international cricket. It is scheduled to take place from 7 February to 8 March 2026, and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. This will be the 10th edition of the tournament, and it promises to be one of the largest yet, with 20 teams competing from around the globe.

Some teams have qualified through regional tournaments, providing new entrants the chance to show their talent on the world stage. The tournament format is the same as previous editions, starting with a Group Stage featuring four groups of five teams each playing a round-robin. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Eight stage, where two groups of four compete for spots in the semi-finals, leading to the final.

The final is expected to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, though there are a few logistical considerations, particularly regarding the participation of Pakistan, which could see it moved to Colombo, Sri Lanka, if necessary. Matches between India and Pakistan are likely to be staged at neutral venues in Sri Lanka due to bilateral relations.

The tournament will take place across major cities in both India and Sri Lanka, with at least five venues in India and two in Sri Lanka selected to accommodate the event and the massive global audience. This edition carries additional significance as it continues the trend of expanding cricket globally with the help of some of the best cricket teams in the world.

Indian Cricket Team T20 World Cup Squad 2026

The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 is yet to be officially announced, but the core group of players is expected to remain largely unchanged, as now only two T20 series are left before the mega ICC event. South Africa and New Zealand will be on the tour to India before the World Cup 2026. The 15-member lineup is likely to retain most of its current stars.

The best T20 batsmen in the world, like Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya, will most likely be part of the squad, unless there is an injury concern.

On the bowling side, key pacers and spinners like Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel are strong contenders to be included. Let's have a look at the probable India squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

India T20 World Cup Squad 2026 (Probable):

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.

India T20 World Cup 2026 Playing XI (Probable)

The India predicted playing XI 2026 for the T20 World Cup is expected to feature a mix of experience and youth. Opening the innings, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are likely to set the tone, with the skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, at number 3.

Players like Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya could provide the finishing firepower and hold the middle order together. Jitesh Sharma is expected to take the gloves, while spin options may include Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav. The pace attack is likely to be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, giving India a balanced lineup capable of competing in a variety of conditions across India and Sri Lanka.

Team India Probable XI T20 World Cup:

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.