Mumbai: Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh have been included in India’s 15-member squad for the Men’s T20 World Cup and the five-match T20I series against New Zealand scheduled ahead of the global tournament next year. Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed captain, while Axar Patel will serve as his deputy.
The selection means Shubman Gill and wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma have been omitted from the squad. Gill, who was vice-captain during the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, misses out following an underwhelming year in the shortest format. He also missed the last two T20Is against South Africa after suffering a foot injury during net practice in Lucknow.
The squad was announced on Saturday, December 20, at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
India’s batting line-up features explosive options including Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, and Rinku Singh. The all-rounders’ group is led by Hardik Pandya, who struck a rapid 63 off 25 balls in the final T20I in Ahmedabad, alongside Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar.
The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana providing pace support, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav will handle spin duties.
India will take on New Zealand in three ODIs and five T20Is as part of their preparations to defend the T20 World Cup title. The T20I series will be played from January 21 to January 31, while the ODI squad for the series scheduled from January 11 to January 18 will be announced separately.
