India to name squads for T20 World Cup 2026 and NZ series on Saturday
New Delhi, Dec 19
With less than two months remaining before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee is set to meet at its Mumbai headquarters on Saturday to finalise India’s squad for the marquee tournament.
During the meeting, the selection committee will also announce India’s squad for the next month’s white-ball series, comprising three ODIs and five T20Is, against New Zealand at home.
Team India is currently participating in a five-match T20I series against South Africa at home, with the final game of the series scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad on Friday.
"The Senior Men’s Selection Committee will meet at the BCCI Headquarters in Mumbai, on Saturday, to pick India’s squad for the T20I series against New Zealand and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It will be followed by a press conference to be addressed by captain Suryakumar Yadav and selection committee chairperson Ajit Agarkar," BCCI said on Friday.
Before the T20 World Cup, starting from February, India will host New Zealand for a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and five T20Is, scheduled from January 11 to 31.
The 10th edition of the global event will feature 20 teams, comprising 29 days of high-intensity cricket played at eight venues across India and Sri Lanka, commencing on February 7.
Defending champions India have been placed in Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, the Netherlands, and former winners Pakistan.
India is the co-host of the tournament along with Sri Lanka and will play its group matches across four venues -- Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, and Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
The Indian team will take on the USA in Mumbai in its tournament opener as it sets out to become the first team to defend the Men’s T20 World Cup crown.
Two-time World T20 champion India had won the inaugural edition in 2007 in South Africa.
bc/bsk/
— IANS
Reader Comments
Exciting news! As a cricket fan living in India, nothing beats a World Cup at home (and in Sri Lanka). The group looks manageable, but Pakistan is always a high-pressure game. Hope the team selection reflects current form, not just big names.
I really hope they give chances to some of the younger players who performed well in the IPL and domestic circuit. It's time to build for the future while aiming to win now. Also, the schedule is packed! NZ series will be a good warm-up.
With all due respect to the selectors, I hope they are transparent about their choices. Sometimes it feels like certain players are automatic picks regardless of recent performance. The press conference with SKY and Agarkar should be interesting.
Playing the opener against USA in Mumbai will be special! Wankhede is a great venue. Just hoping for no last-minute injuries before the big tournament. The NZ series is crucial for finalising the playing XI.
Good to see the co-hosting with Sri Lanka. It strengthens regional ties. The group stage should be a formality for India, but in T20, any team can have a good day. The focus should be on peaking at the right time in the knockouts.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.