Kris Srikkanth Slams Selection: Says India Can’t Win 2026 T20 World Cup
Former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth has expressed doubts about India’s chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Even though the team looks strong enough to win the Asia Cup, he feels this squad may not be good enough to lift the World Cup in 2026. Srikkanth also questioned some of the selection decisions, including the batting order and the choice of certain players.
“We might win the Asia Cup with this team, but there is no chance of winning the T20 World Cup with this bunch. Are you going to take this team to the World Cup? Is this the preparation for the T20 World Cup, which is hardly six months away?” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
No chance for India to win T20 World Cup 2026
One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement was Shubman Gill’s return as vice-captain after India’s 2-2 series draw against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Gill, who last featured in a T20I in July 2024 against Sri Lanka, has now secured his place in the side and will serve as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy for the tournament. This change meant that Axar Patel, who had been vice-captain during the England series earlier in January, lost the role, a decision that the former selector was not in favour of.
Srikkanth also questioned the selection of Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Harshit Rana, saying they didn’t have a great IPL 2025. Rinku managed only 206 runs in 13 matches, while Dube did better with 357 runs in 14 games for CSK. Harshit Rana, who has played just one T20I, was chosen ahead of Prasidh Krishna, the Purple Cap winner of IPL 2025. Srikkanth felt the selectors relied more on past performances than recent form.
“They have gone backwards. Axar Patel has been axed from vice-captaincy. I don’t know how Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Harshit Rana have come in. IPL is considered the main criterion for selection, but the selectors seem to have considered performances before that,” he commented.
Srikkanth questions No.5 role and Dube’s selection
He also asked who will bat at No. 5 for India in the tournament and said Yashasvi Jaiswal should have been picked instead of Dube.
“Who will bat at No. 5? Five has to be either Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma or Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh. Hardik Pandya usually bats at No. 5, so now, Axar cannot bat at six. I can’t understand how they picked Dube. Yashasvi Jaiswal has performed in international cricket and IPL as well. What does he do?” questioned Srikkanth.
India will start their campaign on September 10 against the UAE, and then face their rivals Pakistan on September 14.
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