India to name 15-man T20 World Cup squad on Dec 20 in Mumbai
India to name 15-man T20 World Cup squad on Dec 20 in Mumbai
India gears up for the T20 World Cup with a 15-man squad likely to stay core-heavy as SKY and Gill face form tests ahead of the Feb 7 opener in Mumbai.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India will announce the 15-member squad for next year’s T20 World Cup in Mumbai on December 20, 2025. India is placed in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States and will open its campaign against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai. The selectors are expected to stick with a core group, with Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy Shubman Gill facing pressure to deliver after mixed form over the past year. While a shake-up seems unlikely, the door remains open for tweaks up to the start of the mega-event, especially if form dips or injuries dictate a needed change. The team’s composition could also include Yashasvi Jaiswal as an extra player for the New Zealand series to observe him in a high-stakes environment and possibly groom him for the main event. Sanju Samson continues to be cited as a reserve opener in some quarters, a reminder of the ongoing debates over the best opening combination going into the World Cup. The current thinking around leadership has SKY at the helm, with Gill serving as deputy—a setup that has endured despite concerns about consistency and scores in recent months. Historical lessons from the Champions Trophy—where Varun Chakravarthy replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal on slow Dubai tracks—will temper the selectors’ approach, underscoring that the squad, though largely settled, remains one decision away from a late adjustment before the February start. The focus in Mumbai will be on building a balanced squad with a reliable batting order and a dependable bowling unit that can perform on Indian pitches during the tournament. As the countdown continues, cricket fans will be keen to see whether the selectors preserve the tried-and-tested nucleus or seize the chance to introduce a surprise element at the eleventh hour, with the New Zealand series also in sight ahead of the World Cup roster finalisation.
