The BCCI selection committee to finalise India's squads for T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand series is expected to convene Saturday, December 20, a source privy to the development confirmed Sports Tak. It has been learnt that the meeting will be held at the board's headquarters in Mumbai to zero in on India’s roster for a packed upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the meeting will be selecting the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, alongside the squad for the preceding five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
India's T20 World Cup squad announcement date revealed
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The selection committee is leaning toward continuity, with the squad for the New Zealand series likely to be identical to the one heading into the T20 World Cup. While no major surprise inclusions or omissions are anticipated.
Although the initial 15-member group must be submitted to the ICC well in advance, officials noted that there is still a provision to replace personnel before the tournament begins. This allows the team management some flexibility to address potential injuries or significant shifts in form during the final weeks of preparation.
India are scheduled host New Zealand for a white-ball series. Both the teams will play three ODIs and five T20Is from February 7 to March 8.
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On the other hand, India’s road to the 2026 T20 World Cup has been officially mapped out, with the hosts set to begin their campaign on February 7 in Mumbai against the USA. Following the opener, the team will travel to Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium to face Namibia on February 12. The group stage will then take them across the border to Colombo for a high-stakes clash with Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15, before they conclude their Group A fixtures on February 18 against the Netherlands at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
While the schedule is set, the team’s leadership and form remain a significant talking point. Suryakumar Yadav, India's designated T20I captain, continues to face heavy scrutiny due to a persistent slump in his personal batting form. Despite these struggles, his leadership record remains strong, and it is widely believed that the BCCI and national selectors will maintain their faith in him to lead the side into the World Cup.
The situation is more uncertain for his deputy, Shubman Gill. Although Gill serves as the captain in both Test and ODI formats, his inability to consistently deliver big scores in T20Is has put his spot in the shortest format under a microscope. With world-class talent waiting in the wings, many believe that if Gill’s form does not improve, Yashasvi Jaiswal—a standout performer from the 2024 World Cup-winning squad—could potentially replace him in the starting lineup.