Harbhajan Singh backs India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has voiced strong support for the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar after the team for the T20 World Cup 2026 was announced. While he admitted feeling “a little bad” about Shubman Gill’s omission, Harbhajan praised the selectors for picking a squad full of players who can win matches on their own.
“The team is really good. I had told that Ajit should be given 10/10 for the team. I felt a little bad for Shubman, but he will get more chances soon. All the players are match winners in their own right. Hope we can win back-to-back World Cups because we have that team,” Harbhajan said.
Why Gill’s exclusion raised eyebrows
Shubman Gill’s absence from the T20 World Cup squad came as a surprise to many fans and experts. Gill has been a prominent white-ball batter for India, and his omission underlines the tough calls the selection panel had to make while balancing form, team balance and roles. Harbhajan sympathised with Gill but remained optimistic that the young batter will get more chances soon.
Suryakumar Yadav — a leader under pressure
Suryakumar Yadav, named India’s T20 captain, had a difficult 2025 with the bat, averaging just 13.62 across 19 T20I innings and without a fifty. Despite that dip in form, Harbhajan expressed confidence that Suryakumar will rise to the occasion at the World Cup, saying the team will need big players to fire in big matches and that he expects the Mumbai batter to shine.
Match-winners across formats
Harbhajan singled out several players who, in his view, give India a balanced and potent lineup. He highlighted Abhishek Sharma’s ability to win games single-handedly, praised Hardik Pandya’s return to good form, and pointed to the pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah as vital assets. The mix of power, spin and pace depth convinced him India has the ingredients to defend the title.
What makes this squad strong
- Multiple genuine match-winners across batting and bowling.
- Depth in pace with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh leading the attack.
- All-round options such as Hardik Pandya and versatile batters like Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh.
- Keeping balance with two wicketkeepers and variety in spin options.
Group A and the road to the World Cup
India have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, the USA, Namibia and the Netherlands. The campaign opens on February 7 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium against the USA. Ahead of the tournament, India will prepare with a warm-up series against New Zealand comprising three ODIs and five T20Is — a schedule that should help finalise combinations and form.
India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026
The selected 15-player squad:
- Suryakumar Yadav (Capt.)
- Axar (Vice-capt.)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Rinku Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Washington Sundar
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
Outlook
Harbhajan’s backing adds a vote of confidence to a squad that mixes experience and youth. With strong bowling leaders and several potential match-winning batters, India enter the T20 World Cup as one of the favourites. The challenge will be converting potential into consistent performances on the big stage — starting at Wankhede in February.