The Indian cricket team is set to announce its squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 along with the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand on Saturday. The selection meeting will be held at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, followed by a press conference addressed by captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

The New Zealand T20I series, scheduled for late January, will be India’s final assignment in the shortest format before the T20 World Cup, which will be played from February 7 to March 8 and co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Shubman Gill’s form and vice-captaincy under scanner

One of the key talking points ahead of the squad announcement is Shubman Gill’s position in the team, particularly his role as vice-captain. Gill’s recent T20I form has drawn attention within selection discussions, even though he is expected to remain part of the squad.

Media reports suggest the selectors are deliberating between Gill, Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh while finalising the combination. Former India batter Aakash Chopra has also indicated that while Gill may continue as vice-captain, the team management could keep the slot open or consider Hardik Pandya as an alternative to maintain flexibility.

Core group likely to remain intact

Several senior players are considered certain selections for the World Cup squad. Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy are expected to feature prominently. The pace attack is likely to include Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube are set to fill the all-rounder roles.

India is also expected to continue with two wicketkeepers, with Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma emerging as the preferred choices.

Jaiswal waits in the wings

While there are no major vacancies in the squad, Yashasvi Jaiswal remains a player to watch. With Gill’s position under discussion, the selectors may consider naming Jaiswal in the New Zealand T20I squad to assess his readiness as a backup option ahead of the World Cup.

Recent form boosts confidence

India come into the selection process after a strong showing against South Africa, clinching the five-match T20I series 3-1. In the fifth T20I in Ahmedabad, Hardik Pandya played a crucial role with a 63-run knock off 25 balls, underlining his importance in the middle order and as a leadership option.

The selection committee also retains the option to make changes to the 15-member squad until the start of the World Cup, offering room for adjustments based on form and conditions.

India delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat South Africa by 30 runs in the fifth and final T20I in Ahmedabad, sealing the five-match series 3-1. After being put in to bat, India posted a massive 231 for 5, before their bowlers, led by Varun Chakravarthy, ensured the visitors fell short in the chase.

The result marked a strong turnaround for the hosts after earlier setbacks, as India wrapped up the series in front of a packed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

India post 231 after strong middle-order surge

Batting first, India rode on crucial knocks from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya to build a formidable total. Tilak top-scored with 73 off 42 balls, anchoring the innings during the middle overs, while Hardik played an explosive knock of 63 from just 25 deliveries.

India were placed at 115 for 3 before the duo stitched together a decisive fourth-wicket partnership of 105 runs off only 44 balls. Hardik’s innings stood out as he reached his half-century in just 16 balls, making it the second-fastest fifty by an Indian batter in T20Is, behind Yuvraj Singh.

Varun Chakravarthy leads bowling effort in chase

Chasing 232, South Africa began positively but lost momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy emerged as the standout performer with the ball, finishing with a four-wicket haul that dismantled the middle order.

India’s bowlers maintained pressure through the middle and death overs, with Hardik Pandya also contributing by picking up a wicket from his three overs. Despite resistance from the South African batting lineup, the visitors were restricted to 201 for 8 in their 20 overs, falling 30 runs short of the target.

Series wrapped up in Ahmedabad

With this win, India clinched the T20I series 3-1. The hosts had earlier posted dominant performances across the format, and the final match underlined their depth in both batting and bowling.

India are now set to move on to their next international assignment at home, while South Africa conclude their tour with this defeat in the shortest format.

India rode on explosive half-centuries from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya to post a commanding 231 for 5 against South Africa in the fifth and final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.

After being asked to bat first, India lost Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson in quick succession, but the middle order ensured there was no slowdown. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya stitched together a crucial partnership that completely shifted the momentum in India’s favour and took the hosts beyond the 200-run mark with ease.

Tilak Varma anchors as wickets fall

India got off to a brisk start through Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. Abhishek scored 34 off 21 balls before edging a short delivery, while Samson added 37 off 22, mixing timing with power. Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles continued as he was dismissed for 5, leaving India three down inside 12 overs.

Tilak Varma, however, showed composure amid the wickets. The left-hander reached his fifty off 30 balls, rotating strike efficiently and finding boundaries at regular intervals to keep the innings on track.

Hardik Pandya’s 16-ball fifty turns the tide

The highlight of the innings was Hardik Pandya’s brutal assault on the South African bowling attack. The all-rounder brought up his half-century in just 16 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20 internationals. His knock featured four fours and five sixes, with one over yielding 27 runs as India surged ahead rapidly.

Hardik eventually fell for 63 off 25 balls after adding a 105-run stand with Tilak Varma for the fourth wicket, a partnership that laid the foundation for India’s imposing total.

India finish strong at 231/5

Despite some disciplined bowling spells, including a tidy final over from Lungi Ngidi, South Africa struggled to contain the flow of runs in the death overs. India crossed 200 in the 18th over and finished at 231/5 from their 20 overs.

Earlier, South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl. Sanju Samson returned to the playing XI after Shubman Gill was ruled out with a niggle, as confirmed by skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss. India entered the match leading the five-match series 2-1, with the fourth T20I having been abandoned due to bad weather.