India has been one of the strongest teams in the shortest format of the game since it won the 2024 T20 World Cup. They have not lost a series in the format since then and are flying high at the moment. Even in the recently-concluded series against New Zealand, they bull-dozed their way to a 4-1 victory. That said, it will not be wrong to say that India will be the favourites to retain the title in 2026.
India has announced a very strong side for the tournament, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the side. They also have their talisman, Abhishek Sharma, who is the number 1 batter in the world. Tilak Verma has returned to the setup after suffering an injury. The middle order is stacked with options as they have Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, and Shivam Dube, all in good form. The only cause of concern would be the form of Sanju Samson, who had a torrid series against New Zealand. It is more than likely that Ishan Kishan would be opening the batting along with Abhishek Sharma in the first game of the T20 World Cup.
India’s bowling line-up consists of Jasprit Bumrah, their highest wicket-taker in the format - Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, while the spinners are Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar. India is playing all their group matches in India, barring one. They are supposed to play their match against Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, but that match is uncertain because Pakistan has decided to boycott it.
So what will India’s XI look like in India and Sri Lanka? Here we go…
India Playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026 Matches in India
1. Abhishek Sharma:
There is no doubt that Abhishek Sharma will be opening the batting with the current form he is in. He is the World’s No.1 batter in T20Is and is destroying every bowling line-up that comes in his way. He has already scored 1275 runs in this format with two centuries to his name. What is most impressive about him is his intent to attack from ball, no matter how the pitch behaves, and that helps India get off to a good start.
2. Ishan Kishan:
Ishan Kishan could not have asked for a better comeback to the Indian side. After being out of the side, Kishan came back after a string of good performances in the domestic circuit. And he repaid the faith with two blistering knocks. He scored 76 in the 2nd T20I against NZ and then registered his maiden T20I century in the final T20I. His current form makes him a certain choice for him to play over Sanju Samson in the T20 World Cup.
3. Tilak Verma:
The left-handed batter is back in the Indian side after an injury, due to which he missed the New Zealand series. He is simply too hard to ignore, though, as he is in great touch; it was because of Tilak that India won the Asia Cup in 2025. Even in the final game against South Africa in 2025, he scored a brilliant 73. He played the warm-up game against the USA for India A and scored a brisk 38, so he has not lost his touch.
4. Suryakumar Yadav:
India’s skipper is all set to slot in at no.4, and India would be glad to see him back in form. He had not scored a fifty for quite a bit now, and they needed him back to his best before the tournament started. That’s what happened against New Zealand as he scored three quick-fire fifties and looked at his absolute best. India will need him to continue at this rate.
5. Hardik Pandya:
Hardik Pandya will slot in at no.5, and he must stay in his menacing touch for India to have a chance. His ability to hit big will be really important, and he has shown that in every series. He comes towards the back end and goes bang from ball one. His bowling will also play a key role, especially in Sri Lanka, where they might need to play one fast bowler short.
6. Shivam Dube:
The left-handed batter has proven that he belongs at this level. He can hit the ball a long way and he showed that in the fourth T20I against New Zealand when he scored 65 in just 23 balls before he was unfortunately run out. What’s more impressive is that he has a knack of taking wickets and in the middle overs, which can prove to be crucial.
7. Rinku Singh:
Rinku is a wonderful left-handed batter who has done well in whatever chances he has had. He did not get to do much in the T20I series against the Kiwis as most of the batting was done by the top order, but he can hit the big shots and end the innings well. Apart from that, he is a brilliant fielder and can take some wonderful catches in the outfield.
8. Axar Patel:
Axar Patel has been one of the most consistent performers for India in the last two years. If anyone had watched the 2024 T20 World Cup final, they wouldn't disagree that Axar’s knock of 47 was key in India reaching 176. He is more than handy with the bat and can play according to the situation. His bowling will also be key, especially in Indian and Sri Lankan conditions where the pitch tends to help the spinners. Apart from all this, he is a brilliant fielder.
9. Jasprit Bumrah:
The first name on the sheet, right? Jasprit Bumrah, when on song, is unplayable, and India needs him fit for this tournament. He has taken 107 wickets in this format and is just behind Arshdeep Singh in the list of highest wicket-takers for India in this format. His searing yorker is one to watch out for, and the way he outfoxes the batter is simply amazing.
10. Arshdeep Singh:
The highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is is simply irreplaceable at this point. He has been a consistent bowler for India in this format and recently took a 5-wicket haul as well against New Zealand. Arshdeep is one bowler who can bowl at the start and in the death, as he showed in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where he bowled an outstanding 19th over.
11. Varun Chakaravarthy:
Varun has been a revelation since he came back to the Indian side. In just 36 T20Is, he has taken 59 wickets with two five-wicket hauls to his name. He was amazing in the Champions Trophy in 2025 in the ODI format, where he took 9 wickets in 3 games. Recently, he took four wickets in three games against New Zealand, and the batters are also still struggling to pick him, which is an advantage for India.
Now, we might see a change when India plays in Sri Lanka, as they might tend to play another spinner in place of a pace bowler on those pitches. So here is what the playing XI would look like.
India’s Possible Playing XI for Matches in Sri Lanka
1: Abhishek Sharma
2: Ishan Kishan
3: Tilak Verma
4: Suryakumar Yadav
5: Hardik Pandya
6: Shivam Dube
7: Rinku Singh
8: Axar Patel
9: Kuldeep Yadav
10: Jasprit Bumrah
11: Varun Chakaravarthy
It might also be possible that India might play Washington Sundar instead of Rinku Singh and that will allow them to play Arshdeep as well instead of Kuldeep but we will have to wait and see.
