India has been the most competitive team in the shortest format of the game, and many players are competing for a spot in the team; Therefore, there is immense pressure on all the players to perform. Sanju Samson is one of such players, while Kuldeep Yadav follows him in the list.
The Indian T20I team competes not only against opponents but also within the same Indian team. The competition has become such that even the position of Indian T20I legend and captain Suryakumar Yadav is in danger if he is no longer appointed the captain of the Indian team.
Suryakumar Yadav’s fate in captaincy is still unresolved; However, if he continues the good form he has shown in the T20 World Cup against New Zealand, he will remain in India’s plans after the World Cup as well. But this T20 World Cup will decide the fate of some players, which also includes wicketkeeper batsman Sanju Samson.
Three players who could be dropped from India’s T20I squad after the ICC T20 World Cup 2026:
3.Kuldeep Yadav
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav may be dropped from the Indian team after the end of the ICC T20 World Cup. This is a major change for all to see, especially after the emergence of Ravi Bishnoi.
Ravi Bishnoi was a part of the Indian T20I team for a long time; However, he was dropped after poor shows and the emergence of Varun Chakraborty. Kuldeep will also not be included in the World Cup playing eleven as the first choice spinner, as Chakraborty will play with Axar Patel.
Yadav may be asked to focus on red-ball cricket along with playing the 50-over format, but this seems to be his last stint in the 20-over format for now. He was part of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup-winning team.
2.Jasprit Bumrah
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah seems to be a surprising name being added to this list. The top Indian fast bowler has not played all the matches for India and has had to manage his workload in the white-ball format. Bumrah plays for India in Tests and now avoids playing in the ODI format to focus on T20Is.
Bumrah, on the other hand, will have his sights set on playing in the 2027 ICC World Cup. If he goes on to play in the 50-over format, it is likely that he will be dropped from the 20-over format to keep an eye on his fitness.
Bumrah’s pace has reduced relatively due to injuries and increased workload; Furthermore, his effectiveness is needed in the two longer formats for India, while other bowlers have emerged who can perform well in T20Is. Therefore, this could be the last T20 World Cup for Bumrah.
1. Sanju Samson
Ignoring Indian wicketkeeper batsman Sanju Samson seems to be the most obvious decision taken by the Indian selectors. He is also likely to be dropped from the playing eleven in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Tilak Verma is likely to take his place in the XI, and Ishan Kishan will take the opening slot alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Sanju Samson’s form has been very poor in the recent series against New Zealand. He flopped in a new position for India in the Asia Cup and Australia series, but was then selected and handed the opening role during the final T20I against South Africa. However, Sanju Samson, who scored 46 runs in 5 matches at an average of 9.20 and a very poor strike rate, is unlikely to make a place in the Indian T20 team after the T20 World Cup.
Also Read: Sanju Samson left out of India’s playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026, announced by BCCI selectors
