In a surprising development that has left Indian cricket fans in shock bcci 15-member squad announced for Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 With a five-match T20I series against new zealand There is a tremendous discussion going on on social media. Suryakumar Yadav Has retained the captaincy with Akshar Patel Promoted to vice-captain while former vice-captain Shubman Gill And Jitesh Sharma Face shocking exclusion. The announcement was made from the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on 20 December 2025 and was also attended by the Secretary Devjit Saikia Captain Suryakumar and Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar.
India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad composition and key inclusions
IndiaThe T20 World Cup 2026 squad is a mix of explosive batting, all-round depth and powerful bowling, with the batting lineup including power-hitters like Abhishek Sharma (Recently Offensive) Suryakumar, sanju samson, Tilak Verma, Rinku Singh and remembered Ishan Kishan Which has returned after a strong domestic performance. all rounder hardik pandya (Scored 63 off 25 in the recent T20I) Akshar, Shivam Dubey And washington beautiful Provide balance. Fast bowling is dominant in bowling. Jasprit Bumrah Together Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana plus spinner Varun Chakraborty And -Kuldeep Yadav Offering variety on expected spin-friendly pitches.
The same team prepares through the New Zealand T20Is from January 21-31, 2026, ahead of the World Cup starting on February 7, where India will defend their 2024 title. South AfricaThree ODI matches are to be played from 11 to 18 January, while the team is yet to be announced,
Fans are unhappy with Shubman Gill’s ouster
Gill’s omission despite being a former vice-captain in the South Africa T20I has angered fans and #JusticeForGill is trending across the country. Chief selector Agarkar cited Gill’s poor T20 form – 291 runs in 15 innings at an average strike rate of 24.25, 137.26 with no fifties – as the reason he was ruled out due to a recent leg injury.
There was an uproar on social media as fans gave mixed reactions to BCCI’s call. Jitesh also missed out as Kishan and Rinku prioritized finishing skills. Agarkar stressed on team balance in favor of current impact over potential. Gill’s IPL success contrasts with his T20 struggles, sparking debate over his aggressive development needed for T20s.
As India eye back-to-back titles under Suryakumar, this bold call tests the selection gamble but underlines brutal T20 qualification. Fans are waiting for Gill’s response in IPL 2026.
Also read: India’s squad unveiled for T20 World Cup 2026, Shubman Gill out, Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh return
Here’s how fans reacted:
You have to feel for Shubman Gill 😭 pic.twitter.com/aSY94KGmOh
– Monster Man (@manmonster128) 20 December 2025
Shubman Gill not in India’s 15-member T20 World Cup squad?#T20WorldCup2026pic.twitter.com/LrGi4Jdrtf
– Pérez Messi (fan account) (@kedingaperez) 20 December 2025
No Shubman Gill in India’s T20 World Cup team.#T20WorldCup #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/dWvYQVcSTV
– Sports News (@sports141625) 20 December 2025
Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar are so unpredictable that they have dropped Shubman Gill from the team. pic.twitter.com/zUtb0P6rFF
– Swapnil (@mycatoons) 20 December 2025
Gautam Gambhir drops Shubman Gill from T20 WC 2026 squad pic.twitter.com/RgngUYiOUA
– RAM (@Ind_RAM_) 20 December 2025
Justice for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill 😭#T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/reBcwEkCPf
– 🅰️ J (@EHuman0) 20 December 2025
No Shubman Gill? fans right now pic.twitter.com/0C0sIqxw1R
– Gravel Sounds (@special_cwsn) 20 December 2025
Shubman Gill is not fit in the team #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/mgfI498sP5
-Shubham Yadav (@yadav_shubham12) 20 December 2025
Shubman Gill dropped from India’s T20 World Cup squad #ishaan #T20WorldCup2026 #RinkuSingh#T20WorldCup #shubhmangil pic.twitter.com/9LiMN4ucR5
-Shubham Mishra⛳🇮🇳🔱 (@ACHINTYA__666) 20 December 2025
No one else was coming to run, but it turned out that only I could run away. pic.twitter.com/pmeMFi44xm
– Sagar (@sagarcasm) 20 December 2025
Strange how people who have never handled a tennis ball think they are experts on Shubman Gill.
One bad round and out came the keyboards.
The talent remains. The noise fades away.
Screenshot of this – That’ll make you all shut up again. #ShubhmanGil𓃵 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/Y3TjiIDxEK– Ganesh 🇮🇳 (@GaneshVerse) 20 December 2025
Shubman Gill sacked 🤡 https://t.co/kvRw4bgcfs
– Ankit (@CricCrazyAnkit) 20 December 2025
