Aakash Chopra picks India’s 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2026

The former Indian opening batter, Aakash Chopra, has picked his 15-member squad for the national side of the T20 World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The defending champions will head into the ICC event for the very first time in the absence of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in more than a decade.

Suryakumar Yadav, the T20I captain of the Blue Brigade, is yet to lose a T20I series and may head into the T20 World Cup if he wins the upcoming T20I series at home against New Zealand just before the campaign. Chopra had no hesitation in retaining the same top order.

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“The fact is that Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Sanju Samson will be the three openers part of this team. I have picked Sanju Samson as the second wicketkeeper and an opening option. Abhishek Sharma, let's not talk about it, because I feel he could be the highest run-scorer of the World Cup.” Chopra expressed on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra names India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad

The renowned commentator shed light on how Varun Chakravarthy has overtaken Kuldeep Yadav to be their first-choice spinner in the playing eleven and is likely to play ahead of the UP-born if the management picks one specialist spinner.

“If you are wondering why Shubman Gill has been picked, if you have appointed someone the vice-captain, you won't pivot that soon. I am not going to put my neck on the line and say that Shubman will be the vice-captain. The team might leave the vice-captain slot open, or they might appoint Hardik Pandya to keep their options open.” Chopra highlighted.

“After that, Jasprit Bumrah. Let's not discuss. Why waste time? Arshdeep Singh, let's not discuss. Why waste time? Then Varun Chakaravarthy. There is no discussion. Why should we waste your and my time? I feel Varun Chakaravarthy could be the highest wicket-taker of this tournament.” The former KKR batter informed.

Aakash Chopra’s 15-member squad of India for T20 World Cup 2026

Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Surya Kumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakraborty, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Harshit Rana.