The senior men’s selections committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is all set to convene on June 6 to pick the squads for the T20I and ODI series against Ireland and England. From the availability of the veteran duo of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, to deciding on the next T20 captain to making a crucial decision on Vaibhav Sooyavanshi’s India debut, the selectors have a lot on their plates. Prior to these tours, India will be playing a one-off Test followed by a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
Change of guard in T20Is?
Suryakumar Yadav is all set to be replaced as the T20I captain ahead of the tours to Ireland and England. The Mumbai batter has a prolific record as the India captain, but hasn’t been at his best with the bat, in both international cricket and in the IPL 2026. He played just one remarkable knock in the T20 World Cup 2026 (against USA), and then went on to score 270 runs in 13 innings in IPL 2026. His struggles with the bat since 2024 has been well-documented, with reports suggesting that the selection committee, after holding consultations with head coach Gautam Gambhir, have decided to replace SKY as the T20I captain.
Now, Shreyas Iyer emerges as the frontrunner to replace Suryakumar as the T20I captain. His prolific record in the IPL, having led KKR to their third title in 2024, followed by a couple of good seasons for PBKS as skipper puts him in pole position. Iyer is already the vice-captain for the ODI side for the series against AFG, which means he could might as well be in for multiple leadership roles in the future. Apart from his performances as captain, he has been consistent with the bat as well, especially in the shortest format of the game. Despite not being a part of the T20 WC 2026 squad, Iyer managed to score 498 runs from 14 matches in IPL 2026, marking his second best IPL season.
But that brings to another question – will Iyer find a place in the T20I squad? The middle-order batter last featured in the shortest format of the game for India in 2024, and since then has been ignored by Ajit Agarkar and co. While he has fared pretty well in the ODI format, his performances in T20Is and Tests have been sub-par.
Axar Patel vs Abhishek Sharma for T20I vice-captaincy
Another decision that the selection committee led by Agarkar will have to make is as to whether Axar will remain as the vice-captain for T20Is. The southpaw served as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy in the T20 World Cup 2026. Patel scored just 14 runs and took 3 wickets in the marquee tournament. In IPL 2026, he scored 173 runs and bagged 14 scalps from 14 matches. Axar’s dip in form off late might force the selectors to think about another alternative for vice-captaincy in the shortest format of the game.
Ishan Kishan, who had a blockbuster IPL 2026 season (602 runs from 15 innings, at an average of 40.13, including 6 fifties) is one of the frontrunners to replace him as vice-captain in the ODI series against Ireland and England. The second person on the list is Abhishek Sharma – who recorded his best-ever IPL season after scoring 563 runs in 15 games. Although he has a lack of leadership experience, an elevation could prove to be fruitful for the youngtser.
What about Ro-Ko?
While Virat Kohli is confirmed to miss the ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, Rohit Sharma is also set to reportedly miss the series. Both stalwarts, who are active only in the 50-over format of the game, and have been India’s leading run-getters in ODIs since the Champions Trophy 2025, are expected to return to action in the series against England. While there was no news on Virat’s availability earlier, a Sharma’s availability for the series against AFG depended on if he will get a clearance from the BCCI’s CoE ahead of the tournament, which he has failed to do so thus far.
Sooryavanshi, Rajat Patidar in fray
Both Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Rajat Patidar are a part of the India A tour to Sri Lanka. Both the players were phenomenal in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old, who has witnessed a meteoric rise over the last couple of years, emerged as the Orange Cap winner 776 runs in IPL 2026. He also surpassed Chris Gaye’s record for scoring the most sixes in an IPL season. A T20I debut isn’t far away, and the series against Ireland and England could be the perfect stage for the Indian selectors to hand his maiden India call-up.
Another batter who could occupy a spot in India’s T20I squad is RCB captain Rajat Patidar. Apart from leading his side to two consecutive IPL trophies, the MP batter has been in top form over the last couple of years, emerging as one of best players of spin in the shortest format of the game. Patidar amassed 501 runs from 15 games in IPL 2026, averaging 41.75. Rajat could might as well compete for the number 4 spot in the T20I side against Iyer, given his prowess.
India schedule for Ireland and England series
| Date | Team | Format | Venue | Home/Away | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2026 | Ireland | T20I | Belfast | Away | TBA |
| June 28, 2026 | Ireland | T20I | Belfast | Away | TBA |
| July 1, 2026 | England | T20I | Chester-le-Street | Away | 23:00 |
| July 4, 2026 | England | T20I | Manchester | Away | 19:00 |
| July 7, 2026 | England | T20I | Nottingham | Away | 23:00 |
| July 9, 2026 | England | T20I | Bristol | Away | 23:00 |
| July 11, 2026 | England | T20I | Southampton | Away | 23:00 |
| July 14, 2026 | England | ODI | Birmingham | Away | 17:30 |
| July 16, 2026 | England | ODI | Cardiff | Away | 17:30 |
| July 19, 2026 | England | ODI | London | Away | 15:30 |
Cricket
India squad for IND vs ENG series on June 6, BCCI selection committee faces big questions
