The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is scheduled to announce the Indian squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on December 20, 2025, at its headquarters in Mumbai. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, along with T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, will address a press conference following the selection meeting to reveal the teams. The squads are expected to be identical, providing continuity ahead of India's title defence in the global event co-hosted with Sri Lanka.
Attention is focused on the form of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill, both enduring prolonged slumps in 2025 despite India's strong bilateral record. Core players such as Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy are considered certainties, while decisions loom over inclusions like Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, and potential bold calls on underperforming seniors. The New Zealand series, starting late January, serves as India's final preparation before the World Cup opener against the USA on February 7.
The T20 World Cup 2026 features 20 teams across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka, running from February 7 to March 8. India, the defending champions, aim to become the first team to retain the title on home soil. Recent successes, including the 2025 Asia Cup triumph, underline the team's dominance in the format, with selectors prioritising balance through all-rounders and spin options suited to subcontinental conditions.
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With the ICC deadline for final squads in early January 2026, the early announcement allows players clarity and additional match practice. Speculation surrounds potential standbys and minor tweaks, but reports suggest minimal surprises, emphasising stability under coach Gautam Gambhir as India targets back-to-back global T20 crowns.
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