UAE rehearsal for 2026 T20 World Cup as India build new core

Dubai: The dust may have barely settled on India’s pulsating 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, but attention now shifts to white-ball matters — starting with the Asia Cup in the UAE from September 9. With only six months to go for the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, this continental tournament offers the Indian selectors a crucial opportunity to shape a new T20 core, especially with several senior players either managing injuries or being phased out of the format.

Chief among the returning names is Shubman Gill, who is poised for a comeback in India’s T20I set-up, according to PTI. The 25-year-old, fresh from a highly praised stint as Test captain, is expected to be named in the squad that will be finalised later this month. Gill last featured in a T20I against Sri Lanka earlier this year and had missed the last three series. But his strong IPL form — 650 runs at a strike rate of 155 — puts him firmly back in contention, not just as an opener but as a potential long-term leadership option in the format.

Joining him in the selection conversation is Yashasvi Jaiswal, another top-order batter who has impressed across formats. Jaiswal, who hammered 559 runs at a strike rate of 160 in IPL 2025, missed recent T20I series due to commitments in Tests and ODIs but remains a core member of the format.

Perhaps the most intriguing name in the mix is Sai Sudharsan, Gill’s Gujarat Titans teammate, who topped the IPL charts with 759 runs to win the Orange Cap. Having already made his ODI debut late last year, Sudharsan’s consistency, calmness under pressure, and ability to accelerate have caught the eye of the selectors. The Asia Cup could offer him a breakthrough moment if picked.

With just six matches scheduled in the UAE — assuming India reach the final on September 28 — the selectors must weigh current form against rotation needs. The next assignment, a home Test series against West Indies, begins just three days later on October 2, further complicating the workload planning.

Another big talking point ahead of the squad announcement is the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah. The pacer missed the decisive fifth Test against England at The Oval due to workload management, a move that sparked widespread debate. While Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna stepped up — the latter claiming a match haul of 8-188 — Bumrah’s absence in a close finish raised eyebrows.

India legend Sachin Tendulkar backed the decision, calling Bumrah’s quality “exceptional” and his two five-wicket hauls in the series proof of his match-winning abilities. But former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta questioned the wisdom of pre-announcing his availability for only three Tests.

“I don’t think it helps to announce that a player will feature in only 60 per cent of a series before it begins,” Dasgupta said. “If he’s fit, pick him game-by-game. Otherwise, it sends the wrong message — especially when he’s your best bowler across formats.”

Dasgupta also lauded Prasidh Krishna, who endured a rough start to the series but came into his own at The Oval. “He has one of the best releases in Indian cricket. He just needs a consistent run. Hopefully, this performance earns him that.”

Meanwhile, the selectors will also be watching Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, both of whom have been regulars in T20I squads in recent months. With a 17-member cap on the squad, balancing the in-form players with returning stars will be a fine line.

With the 2026 T20 World Cup to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka, the Asia Cup’s setting in the UAE — on similar subcontinent-style pitches — provides a fitting dress rehearsal. More than just a title pursuit, this is about identity-building. For India, it’s not just about winning the next tournament — it’s about shaping the team that will peak at the right time, six months from now.