Pakistan reached 139/2 in 20 overs against India in the U19 Asia Cup final in Dubai, driven by Sameer Minhas' exceptional batting performance. Khilan Patel provided India's breakthrough by dismissing Usman Khan, ending a crucial partnership. However, Minhas continued his dream innings, scoring 68 and breaking through India's sustained pressure with an innovative scoop shot over the keeper off Kanishk Chouhan. New batter Ahmed Hussain joined Minhas, known for his busy approach and gap-finding singles. The pair previously added 293 runs against Malaysia, showing strong camaraderie. India desperately seeks Minhas' wicket while attempting to build pressure through dot balls and quick wickets. (PC: India Today)

India’s cricket selection for the T20 World Cup 2026 saw a major surprise as star batter Shubman Gill was dropped from the 15-member squad, despite being vice-captain in recent T20Is. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and captain Suryakumar Yadav explained the decision was about team combination and balance, not a reflection of Gill’s talent. Selectors preferred players offering flexibility, including a wicketkeeper at the top order and stronger lower–middle batting options, leading to Axar Patel being named vice-captain and inclusion of others like Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh. Gill’s recent T20 form was also considered.

An old interview of India head coach Gautam Gambhir has gone viral after Shubman Gill was dropped from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. In the clip, Gambhir spoke about losing vice-captaincy to Virat Kohli during MS Dhoni’s captaincy. “Has it ever happened before that only the vice-captain is changed while the captain remains?” he said. The comment drew fresh attention as Gill, India’s vice-captain before the South Africa series, was dropped. The timing has added to the debate around selection calls and leadership decisions. (PC: PTI)

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday expressed surprise over Shubman Gill being dropped from India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. Gill was also removed as vice-captain. Gavaskar said Gill struggled in a few recent matches but stressed that “class is permanent, form is temporary.” He added that Gill lacked rhythm after a long break from T20 cricket. The decision was taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India ahead of the tournament. Gavaskar said Gill remains a quality batter despite his recent dip in form. (PC: AFP)

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced India's 15-member T20 World Cup 2026 squad on Saturday, dropping vice-captain Shubman Gill and recalling Ishan Kishan. Kishan earned his return after scoring 517 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with a strike rate of 197.32, hitting 33 sixes and 51 fours while captaining Jharkhand to victory. Rinku Singh and Axar Patel also returned to the squad. Gill, who replaced Rohit Sharma as ODI captain, scored just 32 runs across three T20I innings against South Africa before injury. Jitesh Sharma lost his place to Kishan, while Shahbaz Ahmed was dropped. This marks Gill's second consecutive exclusion from a T20 World Cup squad. (PC: Times Now)

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted a "major concern" for the T20 World Cup 2026 squad hours before its announcement, warning about over-reliance on Hardik Pandya as a finisher. With less than 50 days before the tournament, Pathan stressed the importance of identifying who will support Pandya at the other end. Following Shubman Gill's return, specialist finisher Rinku Singh has been sidelined as management prioritizes a wicketkeeper-batter in the middle order. The 2007 T20 World Cup winner expressed hope that Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, or Jitesh Sharma would prove themselves, but emphasized the critical need for a backup finisher if Pandya gets out under pressure, calling it a significant headache for team management. (PC: Sportskeeda & NDTV)

India dropped Shubman Gill and recalled Ishan Kishan for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, marking Kishan's return after two years following strong domestic performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the defending champions, with Axar Patel reinstated as vice-captain replacing Gill. Rinku Singh returns after being dropped post-Asia Cup, while Jitesh Sharma misses selection. Gill's poor form just 291 runs from 15 innings with a highest score of 47 prompted his exclusion despite replacing Sanju Samson as opener. The 15-man squad features Abhishek Sharma-Samson opening pair, middle-order comprising Suryakumar, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav.

India will announce their T20 World Cup 2026 squad on Saturday, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav holding a press conference at 1:30 PM IST at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The major focus is on the opener's slot battle between Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson, with Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion despite superior records raising questions. Concerns surround Gill and Yadav's poor form, while wicketkeeper choices between Jitesh Sharma, Samson, and potential returnees like Rishabh Pant remain uncertain. India has maintained a settled squad since the Asia Cup, with only minor changes expected. The tournament runs February 7-March 8, with India facing USA, Namibia, Pakistan, Netherlands in group stages.(PC: Goya Hills)

Hardik Pandya made history in India’s fifth T20I win against South Africa at Ahmedabad, becoming the first Indian cricketer to score 2000 runs and take 100 wickets in T20Is. The 32-year-old all-rounder smashed a 16-ball half-century, the second-fastest by an Indian, and scored 63 runs off 25 balls, adding a 105-run stand with Tilak Varma. Pandya is now the fifth Indian to cross 2000 runs in T20Is, joining Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and KL Rahul. He also became the third Indian bowler to reach 100 wickets in the format. His feat cements him as India’s premier fast-bowling all-rounder in T20 cricket. (PC: X)

Varun Chakravarthy created history in India’s 30-run T20I victory over South Africa at Ahmedabad, taking a four-wicket haul and finishing the series with 10 wickets in four matches. This marked the third time in his career he has taken double-digit wickets in a bilateral T20I series, previously 12 against South Africa (2024) and 14 against England (2025). No other Indian has achieved this even once. Globally, only New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy has managed the feat twice. Varun also became the first player to take 10 wickets in a T20I series twice against the same team (South Africa). He now holds the world no.1 T20I bowler ranking, surpassing Duffy at no.2. (PC: Times Now)