India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Shubman's exclusion creates a flutter

India press conference LIVE: Contrary to what many believed, the selectors have sprung a major surprise by excluding Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup squad, and have instead gone in with Ishan Kishan, who not only slammed 2 tons in SMAT, but also led to to the trophy.

India are set to take the first official step towards defending their T20 crown as the BCCI announces the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 today. The selection meeting, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, followed by a press conference where the selectors are expected to address key talking points around form, fitness and combinations. This squad will not just be for the World Cup but will also double up as India’s squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand that begins in January, leaving little room for experimentation later. With India already holding multiple ICC titles, expectations are high as another World Cup journey begins. While there are unlikely to be sweeping changes, a few selection calls, particularly around form players and leadership roles, will be closely watched. Stay tuned as all the updates, confirmations and reactions unfold live.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement live streaming: Star Sports Network and JioHotstar. Follow InsideSport’s live blog as well.

This Live Blog has Ended

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: AGarkar says.

20/12/2025 14:52

The chief selector went on to say, that to not include Gill was purely on combination, and had nothing to do with form.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: WHy IShan?

20/12/2025 14:39

The southpaw has been in serious good form, where he went on to score two tons and two fifties in SMAT this year. THough the selection comes as a shock, but a good selection in the end.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: No standbys

20/12/2025 14:31

The BCCI has not named any standby players. It is clear, that if the need arises, players can be called immediately.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: PC continues

20/12/2025 14:26

JUst about everyone is talking about Gill at the PC. THis has come as a major surprise for everyone. Perhaps, this is the best combination for Team India.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Sanju to open?

20/12/2025 14:22

SO, with Gill gone, does that mean that Sanju will open the batting with Abhishek? THat looks the most likely scenario.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Axar VC

20/12/2025 14:17

Since GIll is not there, Axar becomes the VC of the team. BUt why is Shubman out? Is it on the basis of form?

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Shubman axed

20/12/2025 14:15

What is happening here. Shubman Gill has been dropped just after he was made the VC. Ishan has been included after a solid SMAT season.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Same team for WC & NZ series

20/12/2025 14:11

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel (vc), Rinku Singh

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE

20/12/2025 14:08

BHajji has his pick

Who makes it into @harbhajan_singh's Team India squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026? 🔥👀

Do you agree with his picks? Who makes your squad? ✍️👇

Watch #TeamIndia's squad announcement | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/HCxHPl6kFs pic.twitter.com/zAF3ezWxfi
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 20, 2025

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Meeting done, announcement soon

20/12/2025 13:56

It seems the meeting has finally ended, and we could get the full squad any moment now.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Last minute delay

20/12/2025 13:45

There seems to be a bit of a delay. MAybe the selectors are pondering on a name or two.

The meeting seems to have started

20/12/2025 13:36

Here we go!

The selection process is underway as the BCCI Selection Committee meets to announce Team India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup ⏳

📸: BCCI#IndianCricketTeam #BCCI #T20WorldCup2026 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/w58mS1cWBH
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) December 20, 2025

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Clock is ticking

20/12/2025 13:27

The experts are coming up with their predicted squads. Washington Sundar looks like, could be the one getting the nod ahead of Rinku Singh for now.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Suryakumar Yadav arrives

20/12/2025 13:20

SKY is in the house as well. We are moments away from the announcement of the squad here. Don't expect much surprises. IT will be on expected lines.

India Squad Announcement LIVE: Place for Gill?

20/12/2025 13:15

While the heart says, that Gill shouldn't be there, but then mind goes towards him. He is the VC for now. So, there is hardly any possibility that Gill can be kept out.

India Squad Announcement LIVE: Probable India squad for T20 World Cup

20/12/2025 13:00

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Varun Chakaravarthy and a superb 2025!

20/12/2025 12:54

Apart from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy is the X-factor for India. No one has picked more wickets than him since he has returned to India in 2024.

World No.1 in T20Is. Unplayable. Lethal. 👏🏻

Is @chakaravarthy29 set to be #TeamIndia’s X-factor at the ICC T20 World Cup? 🇮🇳👀

Watch him next 👉 #INDvNZ | Starts 11th JAN, 2026! pic.twitter.com/5qLJrYERrG
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 20, 2025

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: How many reserves allowed?

20/12/2025 12:42

In an any ICC World Cup event, teams are allowed to include five names as traveling reserves apart from the 15-member squad. As per reports, India will name four reserves.
Those four could be the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Kumar Reddy

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Same team for NZ T20Is too

20/12/2025 12:28

For those unaware, the squads for the T20 World Cup 2026 and the five-match T20I series that precedes the ICC tournament will be the same. After the T20I rubber against South Africa ended on December 19, India will host the Kiwis for another five-match T20I series at home. The series starts on January 21.

The series concludes on January 31, giving ample time for both the teams to do their dress rehearsals before the T20 World Cup 2026, that starts on February 07.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Selectors arrive!

20/12/2025 12:25

Mumbai, Maharashtra: Selection committee chairperson Ajit Agarkar and other members arrived at the BCCI headquarters for a meeting of the Senior Men’s Selection Committee.

The committee will pick India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand and the 2026 ICC… pic.twitter.com/dg3OsicgUe

— IANS (@ians_india) December 20, 2025

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Questions on captain Suryakumar Yadav 😐

20/12/2025 12:12

Unfortunately for India, captain Suryakumar Yadav has been enduring a major slump. It is a decline, having failed to create an impact.

In 2025, Suryakumar finished with just 218 runs from 19 T20I innings at an average of 13.62 and a strike rate of 123.16. He did not score a single half-century across the calendar year.

However, this close to the T20 World Cup 2026, Suryakumar isn't likely to face an axe. It would be a knee jerk reaction despite India looking indispensable.

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: Will Gill continue as vice captain?

20/12/2025 11:48

While the squad isn't expected to hold any changes, one thing that will be interesting to note if BCCI continues with Shubman Gill as vice captain. As per Aakash Chopra, Hardik Pandya might be an option to deputy Suryakumar Yadav.
Gill became India's T20I vice captain ahead of Asia Cup 2025. However, his form hasn't helped him

India T20 World Cup squad announcement LIVE: 1:30 PM IST - The Time

20/12/2025 11:34

Less than two hours to go for Ajit Agarkar to attend the press conference and face tough questions from the media. Meanwhile, the live coverage on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network start at 1:00 PM IST.

India squad announcement LIVE: Welcome

20/12/2025 11:10

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the mega event today - India's announcement for the T20 World Cup 2026. It is a huge day for the players, who will be named in a 15-man strong squad to defend the T20 World Cup at home. Ajit Agarkar will attend the press conference in Mumbai.

Cricket ICC T20 World Cup India vs New Zealand India Cricket Team Ajit Agarkar Suryakumar Yadav