India have been the most competitive team in the shortest format of the game, and many players are competing for a single spot in the team; hence, all players are subjected to immense pressure to perform. Sanju Samson is one among such players, while Kuldeep Yadav follows him on the list.
The competition of the Indian T20I side is not only against the opponents but also within the same Indian team. Such has been the competition that Indian T20I veteran and captain Suryakumar Yadav’s position has also been threatened if he is no longer appointed the captain of the Indian team.
Suryakumar Yadav’s fate in captaincy still remains unsealed; however, if he continues the good form he has shown against New Zealand into the T20 World Cup, he will continue to be in India’s scheme of things even after the World Cup. But a few players’ fate will be sealed with this T20 World Cup, which includes wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson.
Three Players who could be phased out of India T20I team after the ICC T20 World Cup 2026:
3. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav, the spinner, might be snubbed from his role in the Indian team after the end of the ICC T20 World Cup. This is an eminent change which can be seen by all, especially after the emergence of Ravi Bishnoi.
Ravi Bishnoi was part of the Indian T20I side for a long time; however, he was dropped following a stint of poor shows and the emergence of Varun Chakravarthy. The World Cup Playing XI also would not contain Kuldeep as a first-choice spinner, as Chakravarthy will be playing alongside Axar Patel.
Yadav might be asked to focus on the red ball cricket alongside playing in the 50-over format, but this seems to be his last phase in the 20-over format for now. He was part of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup-winning team.
2. Jasprit Bumrah
Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah seems to be a surprising addition to this list. The ace Indian pacer has not played all the games for India and has had to manage his workload in the white-ball formats. Bumrah features for India in Tests and now refrains from playing the ODI format due to his focus on T20Is.
Bumrah, on the other hand, would next be eyeing to feature in the ICC World Cup for 2027. If he goes to play the 50-over format, then it is likely that he will be snubbed from the 20-over format to keep a check on his fitness.
Bumrah’s pace has been relatively reduced due to his injuries and growing workload; moreover, his effectiveness is needed for India in the two longer formats, while other bowlers have surfaced who can deliver in T20Is. Hence, this might be the final T20 World Cup appearance for Bumrah.
1. Sanju Samson
Indian wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson’s snub seems the most obvious decision to be made by the Indian selectors. He is also likely to be snubbed from a playing XI spot in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Tilak Varma is likely to replace him in the XI, and Ishan Kishan would take the opening slot alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Sanju Samson’s form has been very poor in the recent series against NZ. He had flopped in a new position for India in the Asia Cup and the Australia series, but then was picked during the final T20I against South Africa and handed the opening role. However, having scored 46 runs in 5 matches at an average of 9.20 and an awful strike rate, Sanju Samson is not likely to make it to the Indian T20I squad after the T20 World Cup.
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