“I think Siraj deserves a place in the squad” - Former India cricketer’s massive statement ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has named Rinku Singh and Mohammed Siraj as the two players who need to be considered for the final squad for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are set to name the squad for the tournament after a meeting in Mumbai on Saturday, December 20.

The Men in Blue have had the 2025 Asia Cup, along with a five-match T20I bilateral series against Australia and South Africa recently, to assess their options and combinations and land on a final contingent for the title defence on home soil. With the team losing only three T20Is, the entire year, the majority, if not all, of the current squad members are expected to retain their place.

Harbhajan Singh feels that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee should reconsider Rinku Singh and Mohammed Siraj, before naming the final squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

"I think that Siraj deserves a place in the squad, he bowls well with the new and the old ball, he has experience. He will be an asset. Again, the question that has to be raised is that who will make way? Maybe he can come in for Harshit Rana. If you want another seamer in the squad at all costs, then maybe ever Washington Sundar can make way. I think this will be a major talking point for the selectors," Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube channel. "But there should also be talk about Rinku. He is such a player that should be considered, but who will go out to make space for him? I am not so sure about that. Every player already in the squad are brilliant. Another player that should be in consideration should be the DSP sir himself. He has suddenly disappeared, and he has been made only a Test bowler," he added.

Part of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad, Mohammed Siraj has played three T20Is since then, and has no appearances to his name in 2025. The right-arm pacer had a solid Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign, and also made an impact for Hyderabad in the recently concluded 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

As far as Rinku Singh is concerned, he had to settle for sporadic appearances, which included the briefest of cameos in the 2025 Asia Cup Final. However, he found himself out of the squad altogether for the home series against South Africa.

"I don't think any player can come into this side now" - Harbhajan Singh backs current India squad to be retained for 2026 T20 World Cup

Over the last few months, Team India has had the chance to face a variety of conditions and situations, providing them with the opportunity to test different personnel and combinations. With the majority of the first-team picking itself, Harbhajan Singh does not expect wholesale changes by the selection committee.

"I don't think anyone from this team (squad for South Africa series) will be excluded. I don't see any change happening. This team has played well, and they seem like a unit, and I don't think any player can come into this side now," the former India player concluded.

Harbhajan Singh's predicted Team India squad for 2026 T20 World Cup

Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar

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Edited by Gokul Nair