Gill-Abhishek as openers, RCB star as finisher; no place for Samson? India's probable T20 WC squad

India's probable squad for WC [Source: AFP Photo]

In a surprising turn of events, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will select the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup on Saturday, nearly 1.5 months before the mega event commences in February. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel will meet on December 20, and the squad will be revealed as India is set to host the World Cup.

Not a lot of changes are expected in the main squad, and ahead of the team selection, we take a look at the probable 15-man squad which is likely going to be picked for the T20 World Cup.

Analysing India's potential players for T20 WC

Top order batters: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma

The opening slot remains fixed with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill getting the backing from the management. Abhishek has had a rapid rise in the T20I format and is India’s undisputed best opener at the moment. However, question marks remain over his potential partner, Gill.

(Gill in T20Is in 2025)

• In 15 T20I matches this year, Shubman Gill has struggled to cement his place in the opening spot. While the strike rate is decent (137), Gill is yet to register a single fifty-plus score despite playing 15 games this year.
• While he did well in the IPL in 2025, the Indian batter failed to replicate the same performances for the Men in Blue, as his place is questionable in the team. However, he has been backed by the coach and the management and in all likelihood, Gill will open the batting alongside Abhishek.
• The number 3 spot has been a conundrum for the team, as a plethora of options have been tried since the T20 World Cup in 2024. However, Tilak Varma looks the most sorted player and the Mumbai Indians batter has amassed 469 T20I runs batting at number 3, and has had a strike rate of 158.98.

Where does Sanju Samson fit in the system?

Before Gill, Sanju Samson was India’s preferred opener alongside Abhishek, and he had an exceptional 2024 as the batter scored three centuries at the top and was destined to play as an opener. However, Gill’s arrival changed things for him. 

He was sent down the order and while the Kerala star did well in the Asia Cup, he was eventually replaced by Jitesh Sharma in the playing XI as the newly recruited CSK player finds himself out of the playing XI, but will most likely play as a backup to Jitesh.

Middle-order players: Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel

On paper, India has a strong middle-order lineup filled with aggressive batters, but on the field, things have looked a bit odd, especially the form of Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of the team.

(SKY in T20Is in 2025)

• Just 213 runs, without scoring a single fifty, defined Suryakumar’s run in T20Is this year. Moreover, the batter had a strike rate of less than 150, and this was the first time SKY had a T20I strike rate of below 150 in a calendar year.
• However, just like Gill, the management have shown trust in SKY and he needs to come good for the Indian team.
• Apart from SKY, Shivam Dube is going to be another vital cog in the setup. Lately, he has started to bowl for India and his all-round skills would come in handy for the Men in Blue.
• Jitesh Sharma has outshone Samson as of late, and in all likelihood, Jitesh will play as a finisher alongside Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel will be used as a floater, as he has often been under the Gautam Gambhir regime.

Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh

• In Indian conditions that generally favour the spinners, both Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav will be useful, and the pair have formed a strong partnership on the field, and will most likely start in the playing XI.
• Jasprit Bumrah is perhaps the best bowler across formats, and he will be the first name on the team sheet for India. Arshdeep Singh, India’s leading T20I wicket-taker will be in the squad as well, and Harshit Rana, one of the most improved Indian players in 2025 will be the third pace bowler in the side.

India's probable T20 World Cup 2026 squad

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

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