How much has Team India changed from 2024 to 2026? After the retirement of veterans, the onus is now on new players

Team India: The Indian cricket team ended its 11-year drought by winning the T20 World Cup on Barbados soil in 2024. But within just one and a half years, the face of Team India has completely changed. Yesterday, when the selectors announced the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, it became clear that a new era for the Indian team has begun. Let us see how different the defending champion team of 2026 is from the champion team of 2024 and which big names are no longer a part of this team.

How much has Team India changed?

The Indian cricket team is now following the mantra of ‘young and aggressive’ game. 7 players of the team that won the World Cup in 2024 are out of the 2026 World Cup squad. While some retired, some did not get a place due to poor form or team combination.

Half the members of the 2024 world winning team will not defend their title this time. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja had announced their retirement from International T20 only after winning the 2024 World Cup. At the same time, Rishabh Pant, Mohammad Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Yuzvendra Chahal, who were part of the team last time, have not got a chance this time.

7 ‘new’ faces join the team

This time BCCI has selected those players who have the ability to hit with the very first ball. These players who were not in the 2024 team are now India’s strength. Abhishek Sharma is a strong opener who scores runs at a strike rate of 200+ in the powerplay. Ishan Kishan has made a comeback after his explosive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Along with this, Tilak Verma, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakraborty and Harshit Rana will also be seen playing the World Cup for the first time.

Also read: India T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Indian team for T20 World Cup announced, Shubman Gill out, Ishan Kishan returns

Indian team for T20 World Cup 2026

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Axar Patel (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dubey, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan.