The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Only a few days ago, IPL franchises were in Abu Dhabi for the auction to decorate their respective teams. IPL, which earned the tag 'cash-rich league,' has, over the years, evolved as one of the best stages for the youngsters.

Through this league, many cricketers got national team call-ups in the past. Which IPL team has the most number of players who are going to represent the country in the T20 World Cup? And which IPL teams have the least contributions on the basis of their current squad? Let's take a look. 

IPL 2026 teams and their players in India's T20 World Cup:

Mumbai Indians (MI): Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Varma. 

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and Harshit Rana. 

Delhi Capitals (DC): Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan. 

Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson. 

Gujarat Titans (GT): Washington Sundar.

Punjab Kings (PBKS): Arshdeep Singh. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): No players in the T20 World Cup squad from RCB. 

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): No players in the T20 World Cup squad from LSG. 

Rajasthan Royals (RR): No players in the T20 World Cup squad from RR. 

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India squad for T20 World Cup:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, and Washington Sundar.

India’s full schedule ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup:

1st T20I: January 21, 2026, at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur (7:00 PM IST).

2nd T20I: January 23, 2026, at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur (7:00 PM IST).

3rd T20I: January 25, 2026, at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati (7:00 PM IST).

4th T20I: January 28, 2026, at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam (7:00 PM IST).

5th T20I: January 31, 2026, at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram (7:00 PM IST). 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the squad for the T20I World Cup 2026 on Saturday. The selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar omitted Shubman Gill from the squad, which came as a massive surprise for the entire Indian cricket fan community.

The panel showed their trust in Suryakumar Yadav and kept him as the captain for the title defence. As Gill is not in the squad, Axar Patel is named as the deputy of Yadav. The same squad will feature in the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand in January.

"We know what a quality player Shubman Gill is, short of runs at the moment. Unfortunately he missed out on this T20 World Cup, and it was the last World Cup too," Agarkar said about the exclusion of Gill from the T20 World Cup squad.

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Ishan Kishan got his reward for relentless hard work, especially during the past few months. After guiding Jharkhand to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT 2025) triumph, the keeper-batter was named in the T20 World Cup squad. Rinku Singh, who was out from the India vs South Africa T20I series, also found his place in the squad.

India squad for T20 World Cup:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, and Washington Sundar.

India’s full schedule ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup:

1st T20I: January 21, 2026, at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur (7:00 PM IST).

2nd T20I: January 23, 2026, at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur (7:00 PM IST).

3rd T20I: January 25, 2026, at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati (7:00 PM IST).

4th T20I: January 28, 2026, at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam (7:00 PM IST).

5th T20I: January 31, 2026, at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram (7:00 PM IST). 

Sri Lanka announced a squad of 25 members for the upcoming T20I World Cup, which is scheduled to start on February 7, 2026. Ahead of that, the Sri Lankan cricket board has taken some significant steps. Along with announcing the tentative squad, they chose their captain for the elite tournament as well. They picked Dasun Shanaka as their captain for the team. 

While announcing the probable squad, Sri Lanka Cricket Team's Chief Selector Pramodaya Wickramasinghe informed that their previous captain Charith Asalanka's form is not satisfying, so he has been removed from the captaincy. On the other hand, Shanaka's recent form is brilliant, and he has the experience of the World Cup as well. So the board again appoints him as the skipper. 

Sri Lanka is in a tough group in the upcoming T20I World Cup. Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman are in the same group with Sri Lanka. From every group, the top two teams will qualify for the next round. This time the World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, so the Sri Lankan team will play most of its matches at home. 

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Groups for the T20 World Cup 2026:

Group A: India, Pakistan, Namibia, United States, Netherlands.

Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman.

Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Italy.

Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and United Arab Emirates.

Sri Lanka's 25-member squad for the T20I World Cup 2026:

Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pawan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Ishan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Vyaskanth, and Traveen Mathew.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced 17 full England Women’s Central Contracts and four Skills Contracts for the 2025/26 cycle, defining a year which will have a home ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in mid-2026 and a historic Test match between India and Lord’s.

Seven players are on existing two-year contracts, and they are entering the second year of their deals: Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Heather Knight, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge. Their continuity is the backbone of an England side that wants to reach its maximum potential during a busy international calendar.

The ECB granted ten new one-year central contracts, which are a reflection of form and future potential. Proven senior performers like Tammy Beaumont are joined by dynamic younger talents such as Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Freya Kemp, and Mahika Gaur. Pace bowler Linsey Smith, who had a great showing at the recent ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, gets her first full central contract, which is a milestone in her fast rise.

Building squad versatility with skills deals

The board also continued with four Skills Contracts, which are aimed at helping the players who are not yet regularly selected for international matches but are still developing. Em Arlott and Emma Lamb are the ones getting the first Skills Contracts, while Ryana Macdonald-Gay and Issy Wong are the ones who complete the group. The ECB pointed out that these contracts are crucial in strengthening England’s versatility across formats.

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The Managing Director of the England Women’s team, Clare Connor, talked about the announcement as being perfectly timed and having a futuristic approach. She pointed out that the way the contracts are structured is a sign of trust in a team that is really set on bringing victory at the T20 World Cup next summer. Connor lauded the new players, i.e. Smith, Lamb, and Arlott, for their contribution, with each of them having played a part in “important contributions for England over the past year”.

One prominent exclusion from the list is the veteran fast bowler Kate Cross, whose central contract is terminated after several years of remarkable service. Connor reiterated that the selection process is open to all domestic players and stressed that good county performances will always keep the door open.

India's recent success in their home Women's Cricket World Cup has been a great source of inspiration for England. They are set to ride the wave of hosting a major global event. The T20 World Cup and the iconic Test at Lord's will give the contracted group the unique opportunity to create a home soil legacy that will last.

The ICC has released the complete schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and defending champions India now know their full path in the group stage. India will begin their title defense on February 7, 2026, when they face the USA in Mumbai, marking the opening day of the tournament. This will be the first time India and Sri Lanka co-host a T20 World Cup, with matches taking place across eight venues in the two countries.

India has been placed in Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, the Netherlands, and Pakistan. The biggest highlight of India’s schedule is the high-voltage clash against Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo. Due to political reasons, Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, including the game against India. India’s remaining group matches will be played across Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

A total of 40 group-stage matches will take place between February 7 and 20, after which the top two teams from each group move to the Super Eight stage starting on February 21. If India qualifies further, they will progress to the semi-finals in Kolkata/Colombo or Mumbai, followed by the final on March 8 in Ahmedabad (or Colombo if Pakistan reaches the final).

See Also: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 full schedule released: Complete list of matches, dates, venues, and timings

India’s Full Schedule for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Frequently Asked Question

Q: When will the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 be played?

It will run from 7 February to 8 March 2026.

Q: Who are India’s group-stage opponents?

India is in Group A with Pakistan, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands.

Q: When is India’s first match?

India plays their first match against the USA on 7 February 2026 in Mumbai.

Q: When is the India vs Pakistan clash?

The much-awaited match is on 15 February 2026 at Colombo.

Q: What’s the format of the tournament?

Top teams from each group move to the Super Eight, followed by semi-finals and the final on 8 March 2026.

Another achievement for former India captain Rohit Sharma. On Tuesday, November 25, the International Cricket Council (ICC) named the brand ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The next T20I WC is all set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8 next year. From an event in Mumbai, ICC chairman Jay Shah announced the decision to designate Rohit Sharma as the brand ambassador of the elite tournament.

Under Sharma's leadership, Team India won the 2024 T20 World Cup. As a player, the Mumbaikar first tasted victory in the summit clash when MS Dhoni was the skipper of the Men in Blue. In 2007, Dhoni guided India to their first T20 International title. After that, almost after 17 years, the Indian cricket team claimed their second T20 silverware. The first time, Rohit was an emerging player; in 2024, he was the leader of the team.

The announcement by ICC has made Sharma naturally emotional and dragged him into the memory lane. For the ICC title, Sharma and his boys had to toil a lot. He still can remember those days when everyone was trying very hard for years, but success remained distant.

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"From the bottom of my heart, I’d like to thank the ICC and Jay Shah. It’s a huge honor to be an ambassador of an ICC event. I was just told that no active player has ever been announced as an ICC ambassador, so this is a big privilege for me and a great honor as well. I’m very thankful and very grateful," Rohit Sharma said, thanking the ICC and Jay Shah.

The ICC announcement makes Rohit Sharma emotional

"Winning an ICC trophy is a huge challenge. I’ve seen that personally over the years—I’ve completed 18 years in international cricket. I’ve been fortunate to win two recently and two early in my career. But in the middle, there was a long drought where we couldn’t win an ICC trophy, and I know how desperate we were as players, as a team, and as management to get our hands on one. To finally come out and win those trophies felt really good. You can see the amount of happiness it brings to the country with the sport we play," he added. 

Sharma already retired from the format. So, he will not be part of the team. But he did not forget to wish for the best, hoping for another glorious moment.  

India and Pakistan will face each other in next year’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 15 at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo as per the tournament schedule, which will be unveiled by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Mumbai on November 25. The marquee contest- the first time two teams have met since the heated Asia Cup game- is India’s third group-stage clash.

It has been reported that both these arch-rivals have been grouped along with the United States of America (USA), the Netherlands, and Namibia. India’s opening clash of the event will be against the USA on the opening day, February 08, before they take on Namibia on February 12, followed by Pakistan.

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The final group-stage encounter for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side will be on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad against the Netherlands. There will be three games a day during the group stage of the event, as it will be stretched to March 8, with the games in Sri Lanka being played in Colombo and Kandy.

India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 clash to take place on February 15 in Colombo

The format is the same as the previous event in 2024 in the USA and West Indies, where the 20 teams were divided into five groups of four, with the top two teams from each of the four groups progressing into the Super Eight phase, where they will be further divided into two groups of four each. The top two will qualify for the semifinals, followed by the final.

If India progresses to the second stage, then their three Super Eight games will be played in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata, as the semi-final will be at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The ICC has shortlisted Colombo or Kolkata as the other semifinal venue, depending on the qualification.

India are the defending champions, having beaten South Africa in the final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Apart from the hosts, the other 18 teams participating in the World Cup are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States of America, the West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, and the UAE.

India and Sri Lanka, the joint hosts for the T20 World Cup 2026 in February-March, appear to have received different draws. The top-ranked side and the defending champion are expected to find an easier group in comparison to the 2014 champions. The Island nation, which is ranked eighth in the ICC ranking, is grouped with three full-member Test nations- Australia, Zimbabwe, and Ireland, along with Oman. 

It could be a group of death, while on the other hand, India and Pakistan are the two Test-playing nations in their bracket, alongside the Netherlands, Namibia, and the United States of America, completing the five-team lineup. With two sides qualifying for the Super Eight stage, it could be a straightforward route.

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There are four groups of five teams each, and it could come to a case of many tough groups in the preliminary stage. England and the West Indies, the former champions, are drawn along with Bangladesh, a full member and formidable side in the subcontinent conditions, as they have Nepal and Italy, the 28th-ranked in the world.

India and Pakistan grouped together for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

The runners-up from the last edition, South Africa, are also in a tough group as they have two hard oppositions- New Zealand and Afghanistan, who would be a hard competitor in Asian conditions. They will, however, have two easy games against the United Arab Emirates and Canada for the February 07- March 08 championship.

India is going to open their campaign against the USA, followed by the league fixtures against Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. As per the previously completed mutual agreement, their clash against Pakistan will take place in a neutral venue- Colombo. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the final unless Pakistan qualifies.

Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Delhi will be the four other cities to host the games in India. In Sri Lanka, Kandy will be a venue in addition to the two other grounds in Colombo. The ICC will unveil the draw in Mumbai on November 25.

The renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has been shortlisted to host one of the semi-finals, while Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will host the opening clash and final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is likely to start from February 07 and end just more than a month later on March 8. Ahmedabad had hosted both the marquee games of the 2023 World Cup as well.

The reports of the Indian Express have reckoned that if there were a semi-final clash between India and Pakistan, then the encounter would take place in Colombo, while the second semi-final fixture will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sri Lanka, being the co-host of the tournament, will feature in seven venues between the two countries.

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While Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad are likely to host the Indian leg of the tournament, Sri Lanka will use the three venues. It has been understood that apart from the Premadasa Stadium and Kandy stadium in Pallekele, one of Dambulla and Hambantota will be the host venues.

Wankhede Stadium to host T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal; Narendra Modi Stadium set for final

There is no clarity on the warm-up games. However, there are chances that Bengaluru might get a few warm-up fixtures. The Indian board is yet to decide whether they would host the warm-up games in the Centre of Excellence (CoE) or the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Blue Brigade is anticipated to play in major cities- Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to announce the schedule in the upcoming few days. The meeting would be among the top BCCI officials. While the number of venues will be fewer for the 2023 World Cup, each venue is expected to get at least six games each.

The BCCI has made it clear that the Blue Brigade is going to face Pakistan only in Sri Lanka, according to the pre-signed agreement. Both the BCCI and the PCB agreed to play each other in the ICC events only in a neutral venue. The BCCI, as reported, has submitted the schedule to the ICC.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, Jay Shah, is in Navi Mumbai and attended the second semifinal between India and Australia during the Women’s World Cup 2025 final at the DY Patil Sports Academy. The Blue Brigade completed a record run chase to earn victory and qualify for the final against South Africa on November 02 at the same venue.

Shah met the officials of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) on Saturday, November 01, where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, was also present in the meeting. CABI is organizing the program for the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup- for the Blind 2025, which is set to begin on November 11 and end 12 days later.

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“Jay Shah was very positive about our cricket, and he and Saikia have promised to provide their full support. Shah told us that he will come for the trophy unveiling in Delhi, which will take place on November 9 or 10, and also try to attend the final, which will be held in Colombo on November 23.” Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, chairman of the CABI, expressed the Times of India (TOI).

Jay Shah to be present in Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 final for blind and unveil trophy 

The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will be played across New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Colombo from November 11 to 23, 2025. It will have six teams featuring Australia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United States of America. The competition will start with the inauguration and four matches in New Delhi till November 13.

The action will later move to Bengaluru for the next four games from November 14 to 16, and will conclude with seven league fixtures, two semifinals, and the final, along with the closing ceremony in Colombo on November 23. On October 29 in Delhi, the CABI unveiled the official jersey of the Indian side for the World Cup.

Shah also met the IOC president to continue their discussions on the re-entry of cricket into the Olympic program for the 2028 edition. It will be making a comeback at the Olympics after 128 years.