15 T20Is to be played for the T20 World Cup, 10 places reserved, 5 places still to be won

Once the Asia Cup is over, the Indian team will begin its final leg of preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026. In this final leg, the five-match IND vs AUS T20I series will be next. With Hardik Pandya missing, this is an opportunity for coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav to groom a replacement in Nitish Kumar Reddy or Shivam Dube. The last 15 matches are also crucial for India to focus on a wicketkeeper-batsman. Even though Gambhir kept faith in Sanju Samson during the Asia Cup, his performance was not exactly upbeat in his new role.

While there is no consensus on which specialist spinner should play, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy will fight for a place in the IND vs AUS T20I series. Both could end up playing in the T20 World Cup if conditions permit. Among the all-rounders, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel have bagged their places. But there might be room for another. Washington Sundar could end up fighting for a place with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube. In seaming conditions, Reddy or Dube could get the vote and on dry pitches, Sundar could be the right fit.

Who is confirmed for the T20 World Cup?

Drummers

• Abhishek Sharma
• Shubman Gil
• Suryakumar Yadav
• Tilak Varma
• Rinku Singh

If the Asia Cup was just a hint, Abhishek Sharma is here to stay, at least in the T20 format. He is assured of the top spot alongside vice-captain Shubman Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav at number 3. Tilak Varma has also cemented his place, thanks to his string of match-winning performances, including the Asia Cup final.

Rinku Singh, who emerged as the finisher, fell out of favor. But he’s not out of the race yet. He played in the Asian Cup final and scored the winning points. Although his recent performances, including the IPL 2025, have not been inspiring, he is still all but confirmed to be part of India’s squad for the T20 World Cup.

The all-rounder of seam bowling

While many have tried to be the next Hardik Pandya, there is none in India at the moment. Hardik is the only player of his caliber. He can play in 140 clicks to become Jasprit Bumrah’s partner. And he can go from No. 3 to No. 8, at any position. No one else in India can do this, and only a few can play this role in world cricket.

A versatile spin bowling player

Axar Patel tried his best to consolidate the role. He can bat at No.5 and play in the power play. While wickets were hard to come by, Axar stepped up with the bat.

Spinners

• Kuldeep Yadav
• Arshdeep Singh

Among the spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy are key players in India. Whether they both play or one of them does, they will be part of India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. With Axar, Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma adding to the spin support, India has the best spin attack at the moment.

Bowlers’ pace

• Jasprit Bumrah
• Arshdeep Singh

India cannot win the World Cup without Jasprit Bumrah. The hero of India’s T20 World Cup triumph, Bumrah, is in the squad and playing XI. But who will be his partner? While Hardik Pandya got the job done in Dubai during the Asia Cup, India will turn to world No.1 T20 bowler Arshdeep Singh. Whether he makes the Playing XI every time will depend on the surface India are playing on.

Players in contention for the T20 World Cup

Places up for grabs in the T20 World Cup squad

Wicketkeepers

• Sanju Samson
• Jitesh Sharma

Just a year ago, it looked like Sanju Samson had cemented his place as India’s T20 keeper. But with Shubman Gill making a forced entry as vice-captain, Samson has had to move down the order, where he is not very comfortable. Even though he scored a half-century in the Asia Cup, Samson’s performance was not very inspiring. Instead, he left the door open for someone else to take India’s place in the XI. Who is this person?

India needs a keeper-batsman who can bat down the order at No. 6 or 7. Two players do the job, which is not the case for Samson. Both Jitesh Sharma and Rishabh Pant can bat at No. 6 or below. While Pant’s record at No.6 and below has been abysmal, Jitesh played the role to perfection. Jitesh has a strike rate of 169.81, batting at No. 6 or below, making him the ideal fit in the Indian T20I team. As Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav continue to give chances to Samson, it could soon end for him if he fails to fire in the IND vs AUS T20I series. The Indian team will soon turn to Jitesh Sharma if the experiment to play Samson at No.6 yields no results.

Versatile

• Washington Sundar
• Shivam Dubey
• Nitish Kumar Reddy

While Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel are permanent fixtures in the Playing XI, Gambhir has often rotated the other slot depending on conditions. Shivam Dube has the advantage as he is left-handed and can bat at no.4 and also at no.6. His ability to play spin is better than his competitors. Nitish Kumar Reddy is a late entrant due to his absence due to injuries. Although he has a chance in the IND vs AUS T20I series in Hardik’s absence, he will need extraordinary performances to make the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup.

Washington Sundar will primarily play as a substitute even in Indian conditions, with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav expected to start. The five T20Is against Australia could be his opportunity to shine.

Pacers

• Harshit Rana
• Prasidh Krishna
• Mohammed Siraj

Even if two places are reserved for the T20 World Cup, there could be room for two more. Harshit Rana, with his batting ability, could be ahead of the race. In the absence of Prasidh Krishna and Mohd Siraj in the T20I scheme, Gautam Gambhir has certainly decided not to try the two pacers in T20Is for the time being.

In addition to them, late injuries could change the situation. Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the backup opener in case of injury to Shubman Gill or Abhishek Sharma. Riyan Parag will be the replacement if Tilak Varma gets injured. Sai Sudharsan could also play the role of backup opener but he is behind Jaiswal in the race. Similarly, Siraj will be the backup in case Jasprit Bumrah gets injured.

India’s remaining T20Is

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.