Gill Dropped, Ishan Returns: India’s T20 WC Squad Reaction

India have named their T20 World Cup 2026 squad, and it’s full of surprises, bold decisions, and talking points.

In this episode of the Inbetween Overs Podcast, we discuss:

• The shock exclusion of Shubman Gill
• Why Ishan Kishan’s return actually makes sense
• The importance of Rinku Singh as a true finisher
• India’s batting and bowling balance
• Our starting XI for spin-friendly Indian conditions
• Who could be India’s X-Factor at the World Cup

Is this the squad that can defend the title at home?
Tune in and join the debate.

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Transcript

Taran (00:01.756)
The defending champions have named their squad for the T20 World Cup coming up in 2026 in India. India has named their 15, their squad of 15. We got a couple of in the squad, a name that no one saw coming, or at least I didn't see coming, and a name that has been left out that a lot of people are talking about as well. Welcome back to the Inbetween Overs podcast where your host of the day is play, I'm Tehran.

Ishaan Sharma (00:30.048)
And I'm E-Sean.

Taran (00:32.43)
All right, initial thoughts on the squad.

Ishaan Sharma (00:37.012)
like where do I begin? It's quite interesting because if you look back at the podcast we filmed yesterday, we kind of talked about the same topics, the same big, big topics that came out after the announcement. As you were alluding to inclusion of Ishan Kishan, I did not see that as well. And the, what was the newly appointed vice captain Shuman Gill, the

the protégé of the all format captain has been dropped. And that's big news for Team India.

Taran (01:14.47)
Yeah, I was completely caught off guard by the Ishan Kishan inclusion. The Shubhman Gill inclusion caught off guard that they did it. I feel it's a good decision that they've done that, which we can get more into. But the Ishan Kishan selection definitely caught me off guard. But the rhetoric around the thinking behind it makes sense to me. it seems like the selectors have realized that the current template that they have

just throws the combination off a little bit. And you and I have talked about this since they've been playing the last, what, 10 T20Is going back to Australia and then the series against South Africa. You felt that there was something off about the combination. They didn't have their balance completely there and they didn't have that finisher role either. And they have solved that issue by bringing back Rinku Singh, who is a name we have to mention, that deserved

to be in the team, he didn't deserve to be out of the team. And what I like about this selection is the sector's not afraid to say that they got it wrong in changing the template and went back to a template that worked well.

Ishaan Sharma (02:27.726)
Yeah, no, as you were you were mentioning, they're pretty bold calls. And to your point, it does change the combination style that India had, at least when you compare it to the team that they had for the series against South Africa versus what they had maybe last year. It is interesting. I still feel that this tournament is going to be a big, big test for Sky. I personally feel him and Shubhaman Gill were on the same fence and one of them had to fall.

and it was unfortunately Shumwin Gill. So they trust this guy. I think that would have been a too bold of a move to remove him before the World Cup. But I think they made the right call in sort of keeping the captaincy as it was and making those bold calls for some of the other players as well.

Taran (03:18.876)
I wonder how much Shubhman Gill's injury has had an impact in the selection. I wonder if that had to do with anything either. But nonetheless, I think it is a good call because other than a couple of performance here and there, he hasn't been all that consistent in the T20 format. And I do personally believe I've said this before on a different podcast where he should focus on Tess and one dares. He is the captain of both those squads. A lot is going to rest on his shoulders going forward.

And so there's already the international calendar is already super packed. And I think for him to play every single format is going to be extremely hard from a logistical standpoint. And then we're talking about injuries. just came. He just came back from a neck injury that he picked up that some people are saying may be a chronic injury. So you may have to manage that as well and think long term whether it makes sense to include Truman Gill in the T20I plans. And I feel long term.

There are enough players in the Indian pool of talent to always find someone to play in the 11th the top three spot. I mean, you look at the top three right now, we got Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Verma, and then Ishan Kishan who comes in can slot right into Sanju Samson's spot. So normally he's a backup keeper, but he is an opener as well. He's done really well recently. And so

I think we can continuously find players. There's players that have not been talked about. Jai Swal, Sai Sudarshan, they could all fit in that top three as well, right? So I think there's enough pool where Gill can focus in on tests and one days. And so I am completely okay with the non-selection of Shubhaman Gill.

Ishaan Sharma (04:55.5)
Yes.

Ishaan Sharma (05:10.454)
Yeah, and I have no arguments to give because I feel the same way. I don't think it would have been that much of a pushback if they included Gill. I think, you know, there is that concept of recency bias, but in my opinion, he had a notable contribution during the Asia Cup as well. think him and Amit Siksharma up top worked and of course they won the chip. But to your point, his performances, at least in the South African series, looking back, was...

He played like he did not play good and the tournament is in India as well. So that's obviously a big factor So I think all in all it's a big big IPL season for him because i'm sure he has the hunger and thirst to become like a broccoli to become that all format captain so I don't think he'll give up on the dream and Again, I don't think it'll be a surprise if post this world cup We may see the experiment of shimmon gill back into the t20 setup

Taran (06:08.082)
So India goes back to the template that worked well prior to the Australia series where there were a couple of series against England and South Africa in South Africa where we had Sanju and Abhishek at the top. Sanju hit three hundreds in a span of four innings, I think it was, and he looked to have found his touch. There was all this talk about him having so much potential and so much talent and class, but not being able to be to perform consistently at the international level.

He finally looked to have found himself and just as he did that, he found himself out of the team. So I'm so happy that he gets to prove himself again at the top. so what that meant is India had to think about what they wanted to do with Jataish Sharma because Jataish Sharma, yes, he's a backup wicket keeper, but he's not a backup opener. And I think India wanted to have someone who's a like for like replacement for Sanju and Ishan Kishan was the name that come up.

and it helped that he's been in prime form recently. I believe he won Jharkhand the final in the Saeed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is the Indian domestic T20 league. And he was a blinder of 100. I believe the selectors were at that game. There is talk that that wasn't the reason. Obviously that must have helped him. But if you look at his stats in the last 10 innings or so, he's been amongst the runs.

And he has international experience. Yes, it's been more than two years ago, but he's coming with experience. So it's not like you have to blood someone new in that spot. He should be able to handle the pressure and anything that comes with it when we get into those crunch games in the World Cup.

Ishaan Sharma (07:51.182)
Yeah, yeah. And you know, he doesn't seem like the player who is afraid of the lights and the attention. So no, think I, you know, I as well welcome his inclusion into the squad. And in my eyes, if we look at both Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, what I appreciate, what I like is they're both redemption stories. You know, I feel like from Sanju Samson's perspective, it was unfair to drop him because he did so well, as you mentioned, in the South African series in South Africa, you know, a year ago.

But for A'Shawn Kishan, it just seemed like he was so much promised with him that he just didn't, he wasn't able to meet those expectations. So it's nice to see that he may get the opportunity again to sort of perform at the high stage.

Taran (08:38.45)
So with the template being changed, also meant that India had to tamper with who they want at the bottom of the batting order. And they went back to Rinku Rinku Singh, who, as we've said before, has deserved a spot in the Indian team. He's been performing whenever he's been asked to bat. He usually comes at that number six, seven, eight spot to finish the innings. He is a bona fide finisher. He's proven that multiple times.

He's one of the few finishers in world cricket right now, given that Tim David has moved up to the middle order. I would say I can't think of another finisher right now in the same class as Rinku Singh and Tim David. They're able to strike from ball one and I'm so happy he's back in the squad. At the expense of Jyotish Sharma, who just a quick shout out to him, he's done nothing wrong. I just think it's the way the combination is. I think he'll always be in the conversation of.

maybe even if something happens to Sanjo Ishan, I feel Jatish comes right in as backup wiki. Over punt, over punt, I will say that, right? So, but going back to Rinku, happy that he's in the squad and now India has a bona fide finisher, which is something we talked about as well, where they didn't really have that, Yashivam Dube. He's kind of hot and cold, but he is more of a middle over specialist. He still needs to spend time in the middle. Whereas Rinku Singh, ball one.

He's good to go.

Ishaan Sharma (10:03.01)
Yeah, no, I completely agree. You know, he was also included in the Asia Cup squad, you the one that won the chip. He played, think, one ball that tournament and scored four, the game winning four. So, no, and then we also seen what he's done in the IPL as well. So, no, I welcome his inclusion and I'm also a believer in the philosophy of you need to have finishers in your T20 team. So I do expect him to play as well.

Taran (10:29.456)
Alright, awesome. So if you look at the squad, no other surprises in the squad. Is there anyone that comes to mind that you feel was unlucky or hard done by?

Ishaan Sharma (10:40.312)
I think we kind of alluded to some of the players earlier on in the pod. Jaiswal comes to name, Shares Iyer has come as well, obviously Gail Rahul. But to your point, I think it is partly due to the combination as well as the plethora of available players in this format. But I do feel like all the players we did mention have the ability to play for India at that T20 level.

Taran (11:11.762)
So we talked about the crop of batspin. What about the crop of bowlers? Are you happy with the selection there? Any changes you would have made with the bowlers? Seems pretty straightforward.

Ishaan Sharma (11:21.802)
Yeah, no, I think it seems pretty straightforward. think it's nice. think the the the combination between spinners, fast bowlers and all rounders is exactly what I expected. I think it does go it does go to show that players like a Prasad Krishna who had an insane IPL season last season, he's not available in the squad because he just wasn't able to perform at the international level. It was nice to see and I guess no surprises there with Harsh Adhraana as well. He's been

you know, that all format player. might as well include him in this format as well.

Taran (11:56.772)
Andy's a bowling all arounder, you can't leave him out.

Ishaan Sharma (12:00.074)
Yeah, yeah, very true. What about you? Any surprises from a bowling end?

Taran (12:02.642)
From the bowling, no surprises for me. India seems to have gone with three fast bowlers instead of four, is no surprises since they are playing in India. And I can even see India playing as much as just one fast bowler in Bumrah for some of the pitches that they may play on. Let's say they play in a spinning Chennai wicket or a wicket that turns a lot.

I could see Bumrah and Hardik being the two fast bowlers and then having a spin trio of Kuldeep Barun and Akshar Patel. I could easily see something like that happen. So I like the bowling options. I feel Harshdeep and Jaspreet are going to be the main two, from a fast bowling perspective, and Harsh is going to be the backup for either one of them, is how I see it.

Ishaan Sharma (12:52.056)
That exactly the way I see it as well. So it does allow them the flexibility for a more spinning friendly pitch versus a, you know, a one that favors the seamers, but it allows them the flexibility to sort of have both, you know, I think solid attacks for either, either or.

Taran (13:09.454)
And don't forget Washie Washington-Sunder who slipped into the squad as well. He provides, again, he's a multifaceted player where he could sub him for Shivam Dube. He could play in for a Rinku Singh as well, give you some bowling options because he has the ability to play anywhere in the batting order if you need in the top middle at the lower end as well. And then of course he bowls offspin as well.

he could come in as a fourth spinning option as well. So lots of options for India from a spin bowling standpoint.

Ishaan Sharma (13:48.418)
Yeah, no, exactly, exactly that. So with all these different alternatives, have you thought about it potential starting 11?

Taran (13:58.512)
Yeah, so I got my 11 ready. This is always the exciting part when we talk about squads for me. So I don't see too many surprises from the 11s that they've put out in the past. Obviously with the changes to the squad, I have Sanju and Abhishek opening and then we have Tilaka three, Sky four. We know that can change depending on who gets out first with his lefty righty. We've seen that before. And then I have

So I have Akshar at five, just because we've seen him come at five quite a bit. But I understand, I think we talked about this offline where you never know with Gambhir with the left right hand combination. So I think that would have a lot to do with it. So I have him at five. I have Hardik at six. I have Shivam Dubey at seven. And I'm playing Rinku at eight. So again, my five, six, seven and eight.

I can, from a batting perspective, I believe they can swap around. Okay. I think Rinku is probably coming in if there's two, three, four overs left. We're probably going to have Rinku coming in. I don't think he's going to be facing a lot of balls if he plays. I think he's probably going to face probably an average of 10 balls a game. And so I, that's why I have it at seven, eight spot. And then I finished off at the bowlers. So have Archdi, Bumrah, Varun, if India go pass bowler heavy.

or should say with two fast bowlers, if they play on a spin friendly pitch, I'm picking Kuldeep instead of Archdeep.

Ishaan Sharma (15:32.618)
Okay, well, you know, I hate to break it to you, but we have the exact same players. But the order is different. The order is different. So for me, we're consistent across one to four. I think, you know, fair enough there, but we all know Gambier is going to throw in Washington Sundar for some reason in there. But for five, I have actually Hardik Pandya. I think the four reason I would want to Hardik Pandya coming in a little early.

Taran (15:40.955)
Okay? Okay.

Ishaan Sharma (16:01.134)
So have Hardik Pandya at five. I then have Shivam Dubey coming in at six, followed by Rincoo Singh coming in at seven, and Akshar Patel coming in at eight. So, you know, I say the players, so again, I can see a scenario where maybe Gambhir follows sort of, you know, similar batting order that you have chosen, but I think there could be a scenario where you may want to give more balls to just say, Rincoo Singh as opposed to Akshar Patel in a certain scenario.

Taran (16:02.011)
Okay?

Taran (16:09.595)
Okay, I like that.

Yeah, I like that.

Ishaan Sharma (16:29.976)
So you might put Riku Singh, for example, coming in at seven.

Taran (16:34.598)
Yeah, I like your setup there because of the form Hardik's been in. And I think that's another reason why India have fallen back to this combination where they've kind of kept Hardik at that sixth spot just because they don't have a lot of firepower at the bottom. And so I could see Hardik coming up. So then that way you still have Rinku there to finish the innings, right? So Hardik gets more time in the middle. And again, the way he's been playing has been phenomenal.

But we could even see Shivam Dubey walk in at five, depending on the bowling attack, right? We've seen Dubey be very aggressive against the spinners. And so if you think about some of the spinners in the tournament, like Rashid Khan, like Adam Zampa, these are spinners that you want to take out. And he is a lefty against leg spin, makes him a dangerous option. So I could see him coming at five early on.

Ishaan Sharma (17:31.51)
Yeah, no, that's a great insight because that does, the flexibility, I think, is what is really distinct with India squad. They have players who you're able to, within the starting 11, move around for certain conditions or even certain scenarios. So I think that's probably the most exciting piece with Team India.

Taran (17:52.156)
Who is the player that you believe is going to be the X Factor from this squad for the World Cup?

Ishaan Sharma (17:58.926)
Oh, that's a great question. That's a great, great question. I think that with the form he's in, I think it's going to be our guy Hardik Bandia. I think he's going to get the key wickets. And I think with the bat, think if we expect, if we get one out of three matches where he's able to perform like he did, I think that's a win for Team India.

Taran (18:23.962)
Alright, I can't fault that selection. He is in the form of his life right now. For me, I'm gonna go with our skipper, Sky, Surya Kumariyadav. I think he's gonna be the X Factor for India. The sentiment online is pretty bad right now. He's not been in the best of form. People are talking for him. He shouldn't be in the squad. I disagree. I think they've gone with him as the captain. Go until the World Cup. He is a big match player. I think he'll come through.

Ishaan Sharma (18:34.926)
Okay.

Taran (18:53.144)
And I feel if he comes through, this entire team is complete because if you look at the squad right now, everyone's in good form. Obviously, we haven't seen Rinku recently, but again, he's coming in that finisher role. I think he'll be fine there. And then Ishan Kishan has been in form. The bowlers have been in form in different match situations. And I feel the only missing link right now for India is having the captain in form. And if we have an informed Sky,

India has every chance of bringing home the cup.

Ishaan Sharma (19:28.766)
Yeah, no, it's an exciting squad and I definitely think it gives India the great chance to defend the tournament.

Taran (19:39.13)
Awesome, good place to wrap it up. Let us know who you believe is missing from the squad that should be in it or who you believe shouldn't be in the squad that is in the squad. Let us know in the comments below. Let us know what you think about our 11s, if you feel there's any different alternate 11s that you have. We'd love to hear that as well. Until the next series, India gets to test out this squad in the series against New Zealand. It's gonna be a lot of fun covering that. Until then, that's thumbs.