The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will have to announce India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup in early January. As the reigning champions and co-hosts, the Men in Blue will carry extra weight on their shoulders. No team has even won back-to-back titles, and we are yet to have a 3-time champion. Team India will look to achieve both of these.
ICC deadline to announce T20 World Cup 2026 squads
According to International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, teams have to announce their squad 30 days before the tournament starts. This means Team India will name their 15-man squad by January 8. However, teams can change the lineup until 1 week before the tournament by seeking permission from the ICC.
The BCCI won’t just be naming India’s squad for the T20 World Cup but also for another series. According to PTI, the board will field the same team for the India vs New Zealand T20I series, which commences on January 11.
“The squad that will be selected for the New Zealand T20Is will be the same that will be named for the T20 World Cup,” a BCCI source told PTI.
The 5-match series against the Kiwis will be Team India’s last preparation for the T20 World Cup. BCCI aren’t expected to make many changes from the South Africa T20I series, which India currently leads by 2-1.
India’s schedule for T20 World Cup 2026
| Match | Date | Venue | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| India vs USA | February 8 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Group |
| India vs Namibia | February 12 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | Group |
| India vs Pakistan | February 15 | R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo | Group |
| India vs Netherlands | February 18 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Group |
