Indian cricket legend Harbhajan Singh has bestowed the highest praise on chief selector Ajit Agarkar, awarding him a perfect score for assembling the team that will defend the T20 World Cup title next year. The former spinner expressed his admiration for the comprehensive 15-member squad announced on December 20, 2025, which made India the first nation to reveal its lineup for the prestigious tournament.
A Perfect Score for Selection Strategy
In an exclusive conversation with ANI, Harbhajan Singh did not hold back his appreciation for the selection panel chaired by his former teammate. "The team is really good. I had told that Ajit should be given 10/10 for the team," Harbhajan stated emphatically. He acknowledged the tough choices involved, particularly expressing sympathy for the omission of ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill, who had made a comeback as vice-captain during the 2025 Asia Cup in September.
Harbhajan clarified that Gill's exclusion was purely a tactical decision based on the demands of the T20 format and the desired team combination. "I think Shubman Gill was left out solely because of the T20 format and the combination Team India wanted," he explained, while expressing confidence in Gill's future in other formats. In Gill's place, the selectors have opted for a backup wicket-keeper in Ishan Kishan, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma listed as the primary openers.
Backing the Big Players for the Big Stage
The Turbanator also addressed the current form of some key players, specifically captain Suryakumar Yadav. Noting Yadav's recent lean patch with the bat, Harbhajan insisted that the team's marquee players must elevate their performance when the global event commences in February 2026 across the subcontinent.
"Suryakumar has not made many runs, but when the WC comes, we will need big players to fire. He will shine bright in that big match," Harbhajan predicted with optimism. He highlighted the match-winning potential of several squad members, including the explosive Abhishek Sharma, the in-form all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and the potent pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah.
A Squad Built to Win Back-to-Back Titles
Harbhajan Singh's confidence in the selected squad is sky-high. He described the unit as one filled with individual match-winners, expressing a strong belief in their capability to secure consecutive World Cup victories for India.
"All the players are match winners in their own right. Hope we can win back-to-back World Cups because we have that team," he asserted. The squad, to be led by Suryakumar Yadav, features a blend of explosive batting, dynamic all-rounders, and a versatile spin attack, aiming to replicate the success of the previous campaign on home soil.
The full India T20 World Cup 2026 squad is as follows: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh.
