BCCI set to announce India’s squad for 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup ahead of New Zealand series

Highlights:

• BCCI to name India’s squad for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup today
• Selection committee meeting led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar in Mumbai
• Squads for New Zealand home series to be announced simultaneously
• T20 World Cup begins February 7, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka
• Defending champions India placed in Group A alongside Pakistan and others

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce India’s squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup later today, marking a major step in the team’s preparations for the global tournament scheduled to begin in early February.

According to the BCCI, the Ajit Agarkar-led senior men’s selection committee will meet at the board’s headquarters in Mumbai to finalize the squad for the T20 World Cup. In addition, selectors will also name India’s teams for the upcoming home white-ball series against New Zealand, which will serve as a crucial lead-up to the tournament.

“The senior men’s selection committee will meet to pick India’s squad for the T20I series against New Zealand and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the BCCI said in an official statement. The board added that India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Agarkar will address the media later in the day to discuss the selections.

With less than two months remaining before the World Cup, today’s announcement is expected to clarify India’s core group for the tournament, including leadership roles and key combinations. Team management has been closely monitoring player form and fitness as India balances ongoing international commitments with long-term planning.

India are currently competing in a five-match T20 International series against South Africa at home, with the final match scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad on Friday. Performances in that series are likely to have influenced the selectors’ final decisions, particularly for players on the fringes of the World Cup squad.

New Zealand are set to tour India from January 11 to January 31 for a white-ball series comprising three one-day internationals and five T20 internationals. The series is viewed as India’s final major preparation ahead of the World Cup, offering an opportunity to fine-tune strategies and combinations against a strong international opponent.

The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka and will run from February 7 across 29 days. The tournament will feature 20 teams competing across eight venues in the two host nations, making it one of the largest editions of the event to date.

Defending champions India have been drawn into Group A alongside the United States, Namibia, the Netherlands, and former champions Pakistan. India is scheduled to open their campaign against the United States in Mumbai, a match expected to draw significant attention from fans.

India won the inaugural Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 and are now aiming to become the first team to successfully defend the title, adding further significance to today’s squad announcement.