The Indian squad for the T20I series against Ireland and England was named by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, June 6. In a major development, albeit one on expected lines, Shreyas Iyer was named as Team India’s new T20I captain. The 31-year-old was elevated to the post even though he last played a T20I in December 2023.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (15) has also been handed his maiden India call-up. The southpaw clobbered 776 runs in IPL 2026 at a strike rate of 237.30. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma has replaced all-rounder Axar Patel as vice-captain of the team. Further, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Prince Yadav, who has been chosen for the ODIs against Afghanistan, also finds a place.
Five players from India’s T20 World Cup 2026-winning squad do not feature in the side that has been picked for the T20Is against Ireland and England. Take a look.
#1 Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav was the captain of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup at home earlier this year. He has been sacked as captain and did not find a place in the team as a batter as well.
While India won the ICC event under his leadership, Suryakumar had a poor tournament. In nine innings, he scored 242 runs at an average of 30.25 and a strike rate of 136.72, with just one half-century. The 35-year-old struggled in IPL 2026 as well. In 13 innings for Mumbai Indians (MI), he only managed two fifties, averaging 20.76 at a strike rate of 147.54.
#2 Kuldeep Yadav
Experienced Team India left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav also does not find a place in the T20I squad for Ireland and England. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has been picked over him. Kuldeep played only one match in the 2026 T20 World Cup, registering figures of 1-14 from three overs against Pakistan.
The 31-year-old looked out of rhythm while representing Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2026. In 12 matches, he claimed 10 wickets at an average of 38.10 and an economy rate of 10.29. As for Bishnoi, in nine games for Rajasthan Royals (RR), he picked up 11 wickets at an average of 23.36 and an economy rate of 9.88.
#3 Rinku Singh
Finisher Rinku Singh has been dropped from the T20I team for the Ireland and England tour. Rinku had a poor T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. In five innings, he scored just 24 runs at a strike rate of 82.75.
The southpaw had an impressive IPL 2026 campaign for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In 11 innings, the 28-year-old contributed 295 runs at an average of 59 runs at a strike rate of 148.98, with two half-centuries to his credit. Rinku looked a lot more assertive in the T20 league. However, it wasn’t enough to convince the Indian selectors to retain him for the T20I tour of Ireland and England.
#4 Jasprit Bumrah
Team India’s lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been picked in the squad named for Asian Games 2026. However, the fast bowler has been rested for the T20Is to be played in Ireland and England.
Like in the 2024 edition, Bumrah was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2026 T20 World Cup. He finished the ICC event as the joint-leading wicket-taker, with 14 wickets in eight matches at an average of 12.42 and an economy rate of 6.21. The fast bowler, however, had a poor IPL 2026 campaign. In 13 matches, he claimed four wickets, averaging 102.50 at an economy rate of 8.36.
#5 Hardik Pandya
Experienced all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been picked for the ODIs against Afghanistan at home. However, he has been rested for the T20I tour of Ireland and England, keeping his workload in mind. Pandya scored 217 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup at a strike rate of 160.74. With the ball, he picked up nine wickets at an average of 32.33 and an economy rate of 8.81.
The 32-year-old had an underwhelming IPL 2026 campaign. Leading MI, he scored 206 runs in 10 innings at an average of 22.88 and a strike rate of 138.25. With the ball, he claimed four wickets, averaging 64.75 at an economy of 11.42.
Edited by Renin Wilben Albert