India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has picked his preferred playing XI for India’s opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against the USA, scheduled to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday. Chahal’s selections have sparked debate, with the biggest talking point being the omission of in-form wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who impressed during the recent T20I series against New Zealand.
In a video shared by Star Sports on social media, Chahal backed his former Rajasthan Royals captain, Sanju Samson, to open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma. Despite Samson enduring a tough New Zealand series, where he managed only 46 runs across five matches, Chahal believes the Kerala batter’s intent and explosiveness at the top could be crucial on a batting-friendly Wankhede surface.
At No. 3, Chahal showed faith in Tilak Varma, who is returning from injury. The left-hander has previously thrived in that role and offers stability between the powerplay hitters and India’s powerful middle order. Captain Suryakumar Yadav is slotted in at No. 4, with Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh forming a dynamic middle and lower-middle order that blends power-hitting with finishing ability.
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From a bowling perspective, Chahal opted for a balanced attack with two frontline spinners — Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy — complemented by pace spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
The combination provides variety across phases, from powerplay swing to death-overs execution. Kuldeep Yadav misses out in this XI, a notable call given his experience, though his recent T20I appearances have been limited since the 2025 Asia Cup final.
Defending champions India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands and Namibia. The hosts are chasing history in 2026, aiming to become the first team to successfully defend a Men’s T20 World Cup title, win the trophy on home soil and lift the title for a third time. Chahal’s XI reflects a bold, attacking template tailored for high-scoring conditions and fast starts.
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Yuzvendra Chahal’s playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
India Squad For ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), 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, Rinku Singh.
