"I would have them in place of Ishan and Washi" - Wasim Jaffer suggests stunning changes to India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer expressed surprise at Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jitesh Sharma’s exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad that was announced on December 20. Jaffer questioned the intent behind the duo's absence through his X handle.

Hours later, the former batter explained in detail why he would have picked the two over Ishan Kishan and Washington Sundar. Kishan was a surprising selection, given his last appearance for India in any format came in November 2023.

However, the southpaw is coming off a sensational showing in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), finishing as the leading run-scorer with 517 runs and leading Jharkhand to the title.

"Why not Jaiswal & Jitesh? I would have them in place of Ishan & Washi. Axar is VC, so he's sure to play, and you can't play Washi ahead of Varun and Kuldeep. Jitesh hasn't done anything wrong to be dropped, and Yashasvi, don't need any explaining why he shouldn't be there in the first place," posted Jaffer on his X handle.

Sundar is one of four spinners in India's 15-member squad, alongside Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Charakaravrthy. Meanwhile, Jitesh was part of the Indian 11 in their last seven completed T20Is, including the recent 3-1 series win over South Africa.

As for Jaiswal, the left-handed opener was part of India's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup squad but hasn't been able to break into the 11 over the past couple of years.

"It's more to do with the combination that we want to play" - Ajit Agarkar on India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad

Team India chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that the squad has been selected with the possible playing 11 combinations for the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind. Agarkar believes a reserve wicketkeeper who can open the batting like Ishan Kishan could help India play several middle-order combinations in the tournament.

"It's more to do with the combination that we want to play, or what the team management is comfortable with playing. we felt the keeper at the top at this point gives us a lot more solidity than anywhere else in the team to play different combinations. There are only 15 that we could have picked. Someone has to miss out. Again, Jitesh hasn't done too much wrong. These are the combinations that the team management is looking for," said Agarkar (via ESPN Cricinfo).

India are the defending T20 World champions and will look to become the first side to defend their title in this format in their home World Cup in February next year.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran