Debate always rages whenever an Indian team is selected, especially when it is an event like the T20 World Cup. The nation is divided into camps, some celebrating the inclusion of their favorites in the final 15, others lamenting the omission of players they feel deserve a spot.
The changing of the guard after 2024 brought results on the field, but also ensured that the debates never went away. Key talking points include whether the selectors should disrupt the settled opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson by bringing Shubman Gill back into the mix. Questions have also been raised about the balance of the squad – do India really need so many all-rounders or should a proven finisher be added instead?
It’s a tightrope walk for the selectors. Whatever combination they settle on, someone is bound to be unhappy. So, when the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel meets at the BCCI headquarters on Saturday to select the squad for the home edition of the T20I World Cup starting on February 7, 2026, they will carefully weigh the pros and cons before releasing the final list.
While the form of captain Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy Gill remains an issue, don’t expect the panel to rock the boat so close to the tournament. The squad for New Zealand’s T20I will also be named and is expected to mirror the World Cup squad, giving the out-of-form duo time to rediscover their touch.
The main content of the meeting will probably be backups in case of injury. Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong candidate to step into the top three if required, especially as Gill dealt with a neck injury earlier and now it’s a toe problem. Jaiswal, who hits around 165 in T20s, is knocking on the door after impressive performances for Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan, ignored since the 2023 tour of South Africa, forced his way back into contention for the prolific Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as he scored 517 runs, including a century in the final, at 197 to lead Jharkhand to the title.
Also in the mix is Sanju Samson, the second-choice wicketkeeper who scored three T20I centuries in 2024 before being dropped from the opening slot. Coach Gautam Gambhir’s preference for batting depth is reflected in a middle and lower-middle order stacked with all-rounders, while Tilak Varma’s spot also seems secure.
