🏏 No **Gill**, **Jitesh**: **Kishan** Returns to **India** WC Squad

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Key Takeaways

1📊 Squad: SKY (c), Axar (vc), Kishan, Rinku incl.
2🏆 Gill, Jitesh axed post-SA series
3💡 Spin trio: Kuldeep, Axar, Varun
4🔮 NZ 5 T20Is tune-up for WC
5💬 'India primed for glory' - Agarkar

"Axar Patel has been named vice-captain as India announced the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and the New Zealand T20Is"

India's 15-man squad for 2026 T20 World Cup and NZ series excludes Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma, recalls Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh, with Suryakumar Yadav captaining and Axar Patel as vice-captain. Announced December 20 by BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, the lineup blends youth and experience for the global showdown.

Kishan's explosive returns after absence, Rinku's finishing lauded; Gill's vice-captaincy ended post-SA. Squad: Suryakumar (c), Axar (vc), Samson, Abhishek, Tilak, Hardik, Kishan, Dube, Washington, Rana, Bumrah, Varun, Kuldeep, Arshdeep, Rinku. India eyes WC glory sans recent VCs.

Balance Masterclass: Spin-Pace Harmony

15-man core features Bumrah's economy 6.5, Kuldeep's wickets, Axar's all-round (SR 130). Echoes 2024 WC semis via depth; Gill omit like Ruturaj's, prioritizing impact.