5 players in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad who also featured in 2021 ft. Ishan Kishan

The BCCI has unveiled India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played across India and Sri Lanka in February–March. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, despite a challenging year with the bat, thanks to his strong leadership record in T20Is.

The squad selection threw up a few talking points. Shubman Gill has been left out, while Ishan Kishan has earned a recall after a sensational Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign. Jitesh Sharma has also made way for finisher Rinku Singh.

Interestingly, five members of the 2026 squad were also part of India’s disappointing 2021 T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE. Here’s a closer look at those players and how their journeys have evolved since then.

1. Ishan Kishan

Many fans may have forgotten that Ishan Kishan was part of India’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad. He played just one match during that campaign and was dismissed for four against New Zealand in Dubai, falling to Trent Boult while opening the innings.

Fast forward to 2025–26, and Kishan has forced his way back with sheer weight of runs. He finished as the leading run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, smashing 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44 and a staggering strike rate of 197.32, including two centuries. One of those hundreds came in the final, underlining his big-match temperament. With the 2026 World Cup at home, Kishan will be eager to rewrite his T20 World Cup story.

2. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav was still finding his feet in international cricket when he played his first T20 World Cup in 2021. Having debuted earlier that year, he featured in four matches and scored 42 runs across three innings, showing glimpses of his flair but without a defining knock.

Now India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar enters the 2026 event under pressure after a lean run in 2025, where he managed just 218 runs in 19 innings. Despite the dip in form, his leadership credentials and past match-winning ability remain key reasons for the selectors backing him.

3. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya was a member of the 2021 squad but was not at full fitness during the tournament. He played all five matches, scoring 69 runs at a strike rate of 153.33, including a blistering unbeaten 35 off 13 balls against Afghanistan. However, he bowled only two overs in the entire competition due to fitness concerns.

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Since then, Pandya has re-established himself as one of India’s most important all-rounders. A vital cog in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, he heads into the 2026 edition in good rhythm and will be crucial for balance and finishing power.

4. Jasprit Bumrah

Even in India’s disappointing 2021 campaign, Jasprit Bumrah stood out. The pace spearhead picked up seven wickets in five matches at an average of 13.57 and an economy of just 5.08, delivering consistently with the new ball and at the death.

Bumrah’s stature has only grown since then. He was named Player of the Tournament in India’s victorious 2024 T20 World Cup, claiming 15 wickets at a remarkable average of 8.26. Once again, he will be India’s biggest weapon with the ball in 2026.

5. Varun Chakaravarthy

Varun Chakaravarthy’s 2021 T20 World Cup was one to forget. He went wicketless in three matches and conceded 71 runs in 11 overs, after which he was dropped from the national setup.

The mystery spinner, however, has scripted an impressive comeback. Strong IPL performances paved the way for his return to the T20I side, and he recently starred as Player of the Series against South Africa, taking 10 wickets in four matches. From being a 2021 setback, Chakaravarthy now shapes up as a genuine X-factor for India in 2026.