The countdown to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has officially begun, with the trophy tour already kicked off, while the host nations have also named their squads for the mega event. While Sri Lanka announced their preliminary squad, India named a strong team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

On December 20, the BCCI selectors picked a strong 15-member squad for their title defense at home and in Sri Lanka. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side is placed in Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, the Netherlands, and Pakistan. They will kick off their campaign against the USA on February 7.

India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

However, the Indian team is unlikely to field their top players against the minnows in the showpiece event. Given horses-for-courses thinking, they will save their big match winners for the tough teams, and they are likely to be Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav.

1. Jasprit Bumrah:

Jasprit Bumrah is not expected to play every group-stage match at the tournament as India looks to carefully manage his workload, given the history of injuries due to burnout. The team management is likely to rest the star pacer against lower-ranked teams such as the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands, as India has enough depth and firepower to win those matches without their lead fast bowler.

Bumrah will definitely be available for the big India vs. Pakistan match on February 15 in Colombo, where his presence will be crucial. The Men in Blue would love to keep Bumrah fresh and fully fit for the Super 8 stage and the knockout matches, when India will face top teams.

This approach makes sense because Bumrah has a strong record against top teams. He has been particularly effective against Australia, holding the record for the most T20I wickets against them. Since making his debut in 2016, he has played 19 T20I matches against Australia and taken 20 wickets at an average of 24.15 and a strike rate of 7.72.

Bumrah has also been a big threat for India’s old foes, Pakistan, whom they face only in the multi-nation events. He has played 7 T20I matches against Pakistan so far and picked up nine wickets at an average of 19.33, while keeping the scoring rate under control with an economy of 6.91.

His numbers in the T20 World Cups are even more impressive. In 18 matches, Bumrah has taken 26 wickets at an excellent average of 14.30 and an economy rate of just 5.44.

2. Hardik Pandya

With Shivam Dube already in the squad, India is unlikely to rush Hardik Pandya into every match at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Hardik is a big-match weapon who always steps up and delivers whenever the team needs him with both the bat and ball.

Being the X-factor, the pace-bowling all-rounder is expected to be rested against the minnows in the tournament. Hardik is also likely to be saved for the big matches against Pakistan and Australia. Well, Hardik’s numbers speak loudly. Against Pakistan, he has been a proven game-changer in T20Is, picking up 15 wickets at a stunning average of 12.00 while also scoring 98 runs across nine innings.

Against Australia, Hardik has taken 6 wickets and smashed 235 runs in 13 T20I matches, showing his impact with both skills. Hardik’s T20 World Cup record is also equally impressive. He has played 24 World Cup matches and scored 357 runs in 16 innings, with a best score of 63 and an explosive strike rate of 142.23. With the ball, he has been just as dangerous, claiming 24 wickets at an average of 21.66 and an economy rate of 8.52. So, India would like to keep him fresh for the big matches.

3. Kuldeep Yadav

India has loaded their squad with spin power for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, picking four spinners in Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav. With the tournament set to be played in Sri Lanka and India, spin is expected to play a huge role, and India is clearly ready for the challenge.

However, Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be saved for the big matches, especially against Pakistan. The left-arm wrist spinner remains a proven game-changer against top teams. Against Australia, he has taken 10 wickets in 8 T20Is at an average of 19.70 and an economy of 7.20.

The wrist-spinner’s record against Pakistan is even more dangerous, with 8 wickets in just 3 matches at a stunning average of 9.87 and an economy of 6.58. Kuldeep’s impact in the T20 World Cups has also been incredible. In only 5 matches, he has already picked up 10 wickets at an average of 13.90 and an economy rate of 6.95.