Legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh has given a glowing '10 out of 10' rating to the BCCI selection committee’s 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Harbhajan voiced his full support for the Ajit Agarkar-led committee, praising their decision to prioritise team balance and recent form over established names. He specifically highlighted the return of Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan as brilliant moves that strengthen the squad's dynamic.
Harbhajan Singh gives his final rating on India's T20 World Cup squad
While Harbhajan acknowledged that dropping Shubman Gill, who had been serving as the T20I vice-captain—was a difficult call, he maintained that it was the correct one for the team's current needs. He noted that Gill’s recent struggles with the bat made it hard to justify his inclusion, especially as the team management sought a wicketkeeper who could also open the innings. Harbhajan emphasised that this setback is not the "end of the road" for Gill, but rather an opportunity for the young leader to regroup and find his rhythm again.
Mere taraf se 10 out of 10: Harbhajan Singh
The shift in strategy has paved the way for Sanju Samson to reclaim the opening slot, a position he occupied effectively during the recent series in South Africa. This tactical change necessitated a backup wicketkeeper who could also operate at the top of the order, making Ishan Kishan the ideal candidate. Kishan’s selection was bolstered by his sensational performance in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he captained Jharkhand to their first-ever title and finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 517 runs at a strike rate exceeding 197.
“Mere taraf se 10 out of 10. Main Ajit Agarkar aur management ko 10 out of 10 dena chahunga for this selection (Full marks from my side, I would give Ajit Agarkar and the management 10 out of 10 for this selection)," Harbhajan said on air when the squad was announced.
During the official squad unveiling, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar made it clear that the majority of the selection decisions were driven by combinations rather than individual performance or preference. He clarified that the move to exclude Gill was not a slight against his talent, but a tactical choice to structure the team with two wicketkeeping options at the top of the order. By prioritizing this specific balance, the management believes they have created a more flexible and formidable unit for the home tournament.
Agarkar further explained that in a 15-member squad, difficult omissions are inevitable to satisfy the team’s structural needs. He noted that the inclusion of players like Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh provides the necessary depth and versatility that the current strategy demands. According to the chief selector, the focus remains on building a "formidable" squad where roles are clearly defined, ensuring that the team management has multiple tactical combinations ready for different venues and opponents.
“Obviously, there must have been a feeling that Shubman Gill didn’t get his spot, but yes, I think it is right. As everyone is saying, this is not the end of the road. This has happened before, too, where team combination was prioritised. What we have heard from Ajit and Surya (Suryakumar Yadav, captain) is all about how they want to settle the team," Harbhajan added.
“I am so happy that Rinku is in the team, and at the same time, Ishan Kishan has also returned. He was someone we were seeing in the standby, but now he has got his place. The way you performed, you got the chance," he concluded.
India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK)