3 Indian players who should be dropped after T20 World Cup 2026

India entered the T20 World Cup 2026 in outstanding form, carrying strong momentum under captain Suryakumar Yadav. The team has remained unbeaten in T20I series ever since he took the reins and given the team renewed confidence. They won all of their group matches (four wins) and played with consistent balance and authority. However, the Super 8 stage was a low point, as they lost to South Africa by 76 runs. That loss created a major issue with their qualification and they now have very little margin for error.

There has been an increase in the scrutiny of individual performances and many players who have shown difficulty consistently performing at this tournament have generated criticism from fans and analysts. With high standards and the highest expectations, there are many discussions around individual accountability surging through the community. The focus is shifting from the current tournament to changes that may occur in the future. This article will examine three players on the Indian roster whose performances have raised a red flag and could be cut from the roster after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.

Here are 3 Indian players who would be dropped after T20 WC;

3. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar faced heavy criticism from fans and analysts following his underwhelming display against South Africa. Questions were also raised about the team management’s decision to include him ahead of vice captain Axar Patel, who has consistently delivered match winning performances with both bat and ball. Many observers felt the selection call was risky, especially given Axar’s proven track record in high pressure situations. The move sparked debate about team balance and whether India had overlooked experience in a crucial Super 8 encounter.

Sundar was drafted into the playing eleven primarily to counter South Africa’s left handed batters. However, the strategy failed to produce the desired impact. Commentators such as Sanjay Manjrekar and Aakash Chopra pointed out that the tactical switch did not provide any clear advantage. Sundar conceded 17 runs in his two overs and later managed only 11 runs off 11 deliveries. His modest contributions with both bat and ball further fueled criticism surrounding the selection decision and overall match planning.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2026: Was Jasprit Bumrah underused in India’s defeat to South Africa?

2. Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh’s form into the tournament thus far has been disappointing, with few chances to make a significant impact. The management has played him exclusively in the lower middle order, meaning he has no way of helping the team win games. Rinku has not batted above number six during the tournament, and he was pushed down to number eight in the previous game against South Africa. This consistent demotion is concerning regarding whether Rinku’s role is maximized properly in the current team.

The 28-year-old has played in all five of India’s matches in the 20-team tournament; he has only scored 24 runs off of 29 balls. Rinku’s average is eight; his strike rate is 82.76, indicating a poor run of form with the bat. Highly rated as a finisher, Rinku’s talents are poorly utilized while batting in his current position. Due to Rinku’s lack of production and the possibility that he may be unable to adjust to world-class pace bowling, the team may look at other options before making an all-around addition to balance out their squad after the tournament.

1. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson shared a promising stand with Abhishek Sharma, but the partnership failed to flourish for long. Over the past several months, the wicketkeeper batter has struggled to find stability in his role. Since the Asia Cup last September, he has been frequently shifted across the batting order, moving from the lower middle order to higher positions. In the series against New Zealand prior to the T20 World Cup, he was asked to open the innings again, reflecting the team management’s continued experimentation with his role.

However, the constant reshuffling appeared to affect his rhythm and confidence. During the New Zealand series, Samson managed just 46 runs across five innings, eventually losing his opening spot to Ishan Kishan. He returned to the playing eleven against Namibia in the group stage when Abhishek was unwell. Although he struck a quick 22 off eight deliveries, he once again failed to convert a lively start into a meaningful contribution, raising further concerns about his consistency and defined position.