MS Dhoni Mentor, Tilak Varma as Opener: Team India Squad for T20 World Cup 2026 Revealed

While the official team India squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 is yet to be announced, speculation is already building around some exciting possibilities for Team India. After the Asia Cup 2025, India seems to have a problem of plenty, and one of the most talked-about prospects is the rumoured return of MS Dhoni in a mentorship role. Given his immense experience and the success India enjoyed with him as captain, his presence could be a major boost for the team’s young core.

Another interesting move is that Tilak Varma might step in as an opener. He has been batting at number 3, but due to his aggressive batting style, he might open the innings in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup to take advantage of the powerplay and add some quick runs alongside Abhishek Sharma.

Shubman Gill, who recently opened the innings during the Asia Cup 2025, is the kind of batsman who can anchor the innings really well. He might swap his position with Tilak to provide more balance to the side. While these developments are still speculative, they reflect the direction Indian cricket could take as it prepares for the global tournament.

MS Dhoni to Mentor Indian Team in ICC T20 World Cup 2026?

There are strong rumours that the BCCI has reached out to former India captain MS Dhoni, asking him to take on the role of mentor for Team India ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. If Dhoni accepts the offer, it would be his second time taking up such a role with the national side.

He previously served as a mentor during the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. That tournament did not go well for India, as the team, led by then-captain Virat Kohli, was eliminated in the group stage after suffering back-to-back defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand. The loss to Pakistan was particularly significant, as it was India’s first-ever defeat to them in a World Cup match.

MS Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest leaders in Indian cricket history. He is the only captain from India to have won all three major ICC white-ball trophies, the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013. Although he retired from international cricket in August 2020, Dhoni remains an important figure in the Indian Premier League, continuing to play for Chennai Super Kings and leading the team with the same sharp thinking he was known for in international matches. He is one of the best captains in the world. If he returns to the national setup as a mentor, it could give India the benefit of his vast experience.

Team India Squad for T20 World Cup 2026 (Probable)

The India team squad for T20 World Cup 2026 has not yet been announced, but the core of the Indian lineup seems intact, and not many changes are expected as far as the 15-member squad is concerned. 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.

In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are almost certain to feature in the squad. Here is the probable T20 world cup 2026 India squad:

India T20 World Cup Squad 2026 (Probable):

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar