7 Indian players who featured in T20 World Cup 2024 but won’t play in 2026 edition

On December 20, 2025, the BCCI officially announced the 15-member squad that will defend India’s title at the T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the squad reflects a massive youth-driven transition, rewarding explosive domestic form and specialized roles over seniority.

India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad under Suryakumar Yadav

The return of Ishan Kishan after his domestic brilliance and the promotion of Axar Patel to vice-captain define this new-age team. This squad is built on the philosophy of intent from ball one, featuring power-hitters like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma alongside the world’s top-ranked T20 bowler, Varun Chakravarthy.

Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized that the selection was based on tactical combinations rather than just individual stats, ensuring the team has multiple bowling options and left-right batting pairs. The defending champions enter the tournament with a mix of established match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah and raw, high-pace talent like Harshit Rana. However, the 2026 roster marks the end of an era, as several legends and stars who were part of the 2024 World Cup-winning squad have either retired or been omitted to make way for this new generation.

7 Indian players who featured in T20 World Cup 2024 but won’t play in 2026 edition

The 2026 squad sees the absence of several key figures from the Barbados victory. Here is a breakdown of the players who helped India win in 2024 but are missing from this title defense:

1. Rohit Sharma (Retired)

The 2024 winning captain bowed out at the ultimate high. After leading India to the title in Barbados, Rohit retired from T20Is as the highest run-scorer in the format’s history at the time. His absence leaves a void in leadership and power at the top.

2. Virat Kohli (Retired)

Following his “Player of the Match” performance in the 2024 Final, Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is. He decided to focus on the longer format (ODI), meaning the 2026 World Cup will be the first T20 mega-event without the “King” since 2010.

3. Ravindra Jadeja (Retired)

The veteran all-rounder retired from T20Is alongside Rohit and Kohli. The management has now fully transitioned to Axar Patel and Washington Sundar to fill the spin-bowling all-rounder slots that Jadeja occupied for over a decade.

Also READ: Why Shubman Gill was left out of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad? Ajit Agarkar explains

4. Rishabh Pant (Omitted/Tactical Shift)

In the biggest tactical shock, Rishabh Pant was left out of the 15-member squad. The selectors preferred the opening explosive potential of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, noting that they wanted “wicketkeepers who can bat at the very top of the order.”

5. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Omitted)

Despite being a regular in 2024, Jaiswal missed out as the selectors backed the all-out attack style of Abhishek Sharma. The decision was based on finding the right combination to partner with the wicketkeeper-openers.

6. Mohammed Siraj (Omitted)

Siraj, a key pacer in the 2024 campaign, lost his spot to Harshit Rana. The selectors opted for Rana’s raw pace and his ability to contribute with the bat lower down the order, alongside the specialist skills of Arshdeep Singh.

7. Yuzvendra Chahal (Omitted)

Chahal, who did not get a game in the 2024 tournament, has finally been moved past in favor of Varun Chakravarthy. With Chakravarthy currently ranked as the World No. 1 T20 bowler, Chahal’s path back into the squad was effectively blocked.

Also READ: Fans left shocked as BCCI drops Shubman Gill from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad