On December 19, 2025, former Indian opener and renowned cricket analyst Aakash Chopra took to his YouTube channel to unveil his predicted 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. With the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026, in India and Sri Lanka, Chopra’s selection highlights a strategic pivot toward multi-skilled utility players and mystery spin.

Aakash Chopra picks India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026

His squad reflects the current form seen in the ongoing South Africa series and the historic high-scoring feats of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) final. While the core of the 2024 championship team remains, Chopra’s latest analysis suggests significant changes in the leadership hierarchy and the finisher roles that have defined India’s T20 identity.

The vice-captaincy conundrum: Hardik Pandya vs Shubman Gill

A major talking point in Chopra’s analysis was the uncertainty surrounding the vice-captaincy, a role currently held by Shubman Gill. While Chopra included Gill in his squad as a specialist opener, he expressed doubt about his longevity in a leadership capacity due to recent fitness issues and a dip in T20I scoring rates. Chopra suggested that the selectors might return to Hardik Pandya to serve as deputy to Suryakumar Yadav.

“The fact is that Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson will be the three openers part of this team. I have picked Sanju Samson as the second wicketkeeper and an opening option. Abhishek Sharma, let’s not talk about it, because I feel he could be the highest run-scorer of the World Cup.” Chopra said.

“If you are wondering why Shubman Gill has been picked, if you have appointed someone the vice-captain, you won’t pivot that soon. I am not going to put my neck on the line and say that Shubman only will be the vice-captain. The team might leave the vice-captain slot open, or they might appoint Hardik Pandya just to keep their options open.” the former Indian cricketer added.

Also READ: Not India vs Pakistan! Jay Shah invites Lionel Messi for THIS T20 World Cup 2026 game

Tactical toss-ups: Why Washington Sundar pips Rinku Singh

In a move that sparked significant debate among fans, Chopra chose Washington Sundar over the specialized finisher Rinku Singh for the final spot in his 15. He argued that the team management’s current philosophy favors utility over specialization, particularly on subcontinental pitches where an extra bowling option is vital.

Chopra explained. He noted that while Rinku’s striking ability is elite, Sundar’s ability to bowl in the powerplay and provide left-handed batting depth at number eight offers more tactical maneuvers. This utility-first approach is mirrored in his middle-order picks, where Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube were identified as “100 percent locks” due to their secondary bowling skills and ability to dismantle spin in the middle overs.

“After that, one more wicketkeeper will be required. You need a minimum of two wicketkeepers in the squad. So you have to keep Jitesh Sharma in the team. After that, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube. These all-rounders should be locked. These three are 100 percent part of the team. Even if Sanju opens, you will have to play Jitesh because this team has started giving preference to Washington Sundar. I think it’s a toss-up whether to take Rinku or Washi. The team feels they won’t be able to use Rinku at all, so they should keep Washi.” the cricketer-turned-commentor stated.

The bowling blueprint: Varun Chakaravarthy and Harshit Rana as game-changers

Chopra’s bowling unit for the 2026 World Cup is built on a “non-negotiable” trio of pace and mystery, with Varun Chakaravarthy tipped to be the tournament’s most lethal weapon.

“After that, Jasprit Bumrah. Let’s not discuss. Why waste time? Arshdeep Singh, let’s not discuss. Why waste time? Then Varun Chakaravarthy. There is no discussion. Why should we waste your and my time? I feel Varun Chakaravarthy could be the highest wicket-taker of this tournament. After that, you have to keep Kuldeep Yadav in the team. You are giving yourselves options. Then only one slot is left. You can pick any fast bowler there. So I am keeping Harshit Rana there. He also provides a batting option at No. 8.” Chopra concluded.

Aakash Chopra’s 15-men Indian squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

• Openers: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson (WK)
• Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK)
• All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar
• Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana

Also READ:

New Delhi: Since the 2025 edition of the Asia Cup, India’ spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has missed just three T20Is. While he was rested for the final group game against Oman and dead rubber versus Sri Lanka in the multi-nation tournament, Bumrah didn’t feature in the third T20I versus South Africa due to personal reasons. Apart from these three games, he has been on the park for 13 T20Is and even played four home Tests against West Indies and South Africa, respectively. The 50-day countdown to India’s title defence at 2026 T20 World Cup has begun and the biggest priority for the thinktank right now is to keep their Most Valuable Player (MVP) fresh and fit for the tournament. There are five more T20Is against New Zealand next month before the focus shifts to the World Cup and the management has made up their mind to not make the bowler play the three ODIs starting January 11. It is understood that the coaching group has already had discussions in this regard and don’t want to compromise on the player’s readiness for the multi-nation tournament to be held in India and Sri Lanka during February and March.

“The management is very clear with regards to Bumrah. People outside can create all sorts of fitness theories but it’s very simple – you prioritise the formats and matches you want Bumrah to feature in. It was important from a team’s perspective that he plays maximum T20Is in buildup to the World Cup and he has been on the park since the Asia Cup in the format. Bumrah playing was not just important for his continuity in the format but also for the captain and coach to figure the bowling combination alongside Bumrah. These games have given a clearer picture to selectors also and now the five T20Is vs New Zealand will be just about firming up plans,” a well placed source tells TimesofIndia.com.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“So the three ODIs against New Zealand serve no purpose. You will see more of Bumrah in ODIs when the team shifts focus to 2027 World Cup. That’s how coach Gautam Gambhir plans to use his premier fast bowler,” adds the source.

Bumrah not alone

The discussions have just not been restricted to Bumrah as the think tank will be following a similar approach with Hardik Pandya. It is understood that this was the prime reason he wasn’t rushed for the ODI series against South Africa and was asked to skip the third Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games for Baroda. He made two appearances for his state before joining the team in Cuttack for the first T20I of the five-match series against South Africa. The all-rounder, after getting injured in the Asia Cup and missing the white-ball series in Australia and ODIs at home against South Africa, featured in all four T20Is against the Proteas and will have some time to rest and recover before turning up for the T20Is against New Zealand next month. It is further understood that Pandya could be asked to play one or two Vijay Hazare Trophy games for Baroda but it’s not been decided which ones he would play.

“The approach will be the same for Hardik. Both Bumrah and Hardik are the most important players in the T20I set-up right now and the series vs South Africa showed that. There is a possibility of Hardik playing some domestic games for Baroda just to keep his body ready but no final decision has been taken in that regard,” explains the source.

The Standbys

In the team’s last international match of the year, Hardik was adjudged player of the match for his destructive 25-ball 63 and Bumrah was at his best in the run-fest as he returned with figures of 2/17. The two players served another reminder of their abilities in the format and why they should be handled with utmost care in the build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The selectors will pick the squad, and possibly standbys, for the tournament on Saturday, and it’s likely to be along expected lines. The team has opted for continuity since the Asia Cup, leaving little room for surprises when chief selector Ajit Agarkar addresses the media in Mumbai.Rinku Singh was picked for the Asia Cup and the T20Is against Australia, but the left-hander only played the final against Pakistan due to Hardik Pandya’s injury, and featured just once in the five T20Is Down Under. The game in which he made the XI was unfortunately washed out in Brisbane.Washington, who wasn’t part of the Asia Cup squad, has been given outings in the format and even bowled his full quota of overs against South Africa in Ahmedabad. His all-round abilities could help him pip a specialist batter, as his off-spin allows the think-tank to use match-ups against left-handers, if the need arises.

The Union government has cleared a Rs 887-crore plan to develop a world-class marina in Mumbai Harbour, a move aimed at boosting coastal shipping, maritime tourism and waterfront development in India’s financial capital. The project, called the ‘Viksit Bharat Mumbai Marina’, has been approved by the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways and is aligned with the Centre’s broader blue economy push.

What is the Mumbai Marina project?

The proposed marina will be developed over nearly 12 hectares of water area in Mumbai Harbour. It will have the capacity to berth 424 yachts of up to 30 metres in length, making it one of the major such facilities in the country.

The project is designed to place Mumbai firmly on the global maritime tourism map, according to official statements.

How much will it cost, and who will invest?

The total project cost is estimated at Rs 887 crore. The Mumbai Port Authority will invest around Rs 470 crore to build the core marine infrastructure on an EPC basis. The remaining Rs 417 crore will be invested by a private operator, who will develop the onshore facilities. Tenders have already been floated and bids are scheduled to close on December 29, 2025.

What infrastructure will be created?

The marine side will include an approach trestle, piled breakwater, service platforms, pontoons and gangways to ensure safe yacht operations.

Onshore, the private developer will build a marina terminal, a Namo Bharat International Sailing School, a maritime tourism development centre, hotel and clubhouse facilities, a skill development centre, and yacht repair and stacking infrastructure.

Why is the project important?

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the marina will “create world-class infrastructure, open the waterfront for public use, encourage private investment and generate new employment opportunities”. The project is expected to create over 2,000 jobs across marina operations, hospitality, cruise services and allied sectors, as per news agency PTI.

How does it fit into national plans?

The marina aligns with key national frameworks, including Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the Sagarmala Programme and the Cruise Bharat Mission, strengthening Mumbai’s role as a major maritime and tourism hub.

Ashes Live, Australia vs England 3rd Test: Travis Head struck a commanding 170 and Alex Carey chipped in with 72 as Australia were bowled out for 349 in their second innings on Saturday, setting England a daunting record target of 435 to keep the Ashes alive at the Adelaide Oval.

England wrapped up the innings before lunch, claiming six wickets in the morning session, but endured an early setback when they came out to bat. With just 10 minutes remaining before the interval, Ben Duckett fell in the second over, edging Pat Cummins to Marnus Labuschagne at second slip for four.

At lunch, England were 5 for 1, with Ollie Pope unbeaten on one and Zak Crawley yet to open his account.

England must win the match to stay alive in the five-Test series after heavy defeats by eight wickets in Perth and Brisbane. Australia, the holders, require only a draw to retain the Ashes.

Ben Stokes’s side face an enormous challenge in chasing 435, a target never achieved at the Adelaide Oval, where the highest successful run chase is 316. The biggest chase in Test history remains the West Indies’ 418 against Australia at St John’s in 2003.

Australia had resumed on 271 for 4, with Head on 142 and Carey unbeaten on 52, and the pair once again made early hay against some wayward bowling. Stokes, who did not bowl on Friday after assistant coach Jeetan Patel said he was “knackered” following a gritty 83 with the bat, opened the attack on Saturday.

Head quickly moved into top gear, reaching his 150 off 205 balls with a cut through backward point, drawing a standing ovation from the home crowd. Chasing a maiden Test double hundred, he continued to attack before pulling a short ball from Josh Tongue to Zak Crawley, who held the catch in the deep under the glaring sun.

Carey added 20 to his overnight score as he eyed back-to-back centuries following his emotional first-innings 106, but was caught at leg slip by Harry Brook off Stokes. Josh Inglis soon followed, edging Tongue to Jamie Smith behind the stumps.

With the new ball taken, Brook grabbed another slip catch to dismiss Pat Cummins for six off Brydon Carse, who then trapped Nathan Lyon lbw with the very next delivery. Scott Boland was the final wicket to fall, caught and bowled cheaply by Jofra Archer, while Tongue finished as England’s most successful bowler with figures of 4 for 70.

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: A division bench of Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Hiten Venegavkar of the Bombay high court directed the Nanded district collector on Dec 12 to initiate action within one month in a case of alleged encroachment on 23 acres of govt land attached to the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara. The court warned that failure to comply would require the collector to appear personally before the high court.The writ petition was filed by Sardar Manjeet Singh Jagan Singh, a trustee of the Diwan, against the State of Maharashtra and other authorities.Representing the petitioner, advocate Ganesh Gadhe said, “The dispute pertains to a piece of prime land sizing 23 acres that was granted to the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara as pattedar land for cultivation in 1954. Both the gurdwara board and the petitioner have accepted that ownership of the land vests with the govt. We have submitted in the petition that portions of the land have been encroached upon by private parties and that revenue authorities have failed to take statutory action despite repeated representations.“The HC was informed that after an earlier writ petition was disposed of in July 2023 with liberty to pursue an appropriate remedy, the petitioner moved an application on July 17, 2023, seeking removal of encroachment. On July 25, 2023, the then administrator of the gurdwara clarified before authorities that the petitioner was authorised to represent the gurdwara board, and the administrator of the gurdwara board urged serious consideration of the complaint.Subsequently, on Oct 25, 2023, revenue authorities directed initiation of action under section 53 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code. Further directions were issued on Nov 23, 2023 to the circle officer and talathi to proceed under the same provision. Despite this, the matter did not progress.In a communication dated May 25, 2024, the Nanded circle officer informed the petitioner that the relevant survey numbers had been converted into property cards. A spot inspection revealed boards indicating ownership by both the gurdwara board and a private developer on different portions of the land. The officer said due to conversion into property cards and lack of records, it was not possible to determine the nature of ownership and that powers under section 53 rested with the district collector.On May 27, 2024, the present superintendent of the gurdwara wrote to the Nanded district collector seeking eviction under sections 53 and 242 of the Code, contending that failure to act had caused loss to govt property and, consequently, to the gurdwara. The petition pointed out that the collector did not respond to this communication.The high court noted the nearly two-year delay and observed that the case appeared to be one where superior authorities merely passed instructions without ensuring actual action. The bench stressed that revenue officers are duty-bound to protect govt land.The court directed the Nanded collector to initiate and complete action within one month from the date of the order. It warned that in the event of non-compliance, the Nanded district collector would have to remain personally present before the court to explain the steps taken. The matter was posted for further consideration high on board on Jan 17, 2026.

The first Sydney Smash of BBL|15 takes center stage as Sydney Thunder hosts Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Showground Stadium. Both teams are searching for their first win of the season, adding high stakes to an already fierce crosstown rivalry.

The Thunder started their campaign with a heartbreaking last-ball loss to the Hobart Hurricanes. Despite posting a strong 180, their bowlers couldn’t defend it in the final over. Captain David Warner returns to the squad for this massive derby, providing a huge psychological and tactical boost at the top of the order. Cameron Bancroft looked in sublime touch with a half-century in the opener, while Shadab Khan proved his value as a genuine all-rounder, taking 2 wickets and contributing with the bat.

The three-time champions have had a rare horror start, losing their first two matches against the Scorchers and Strikers. Marquee signing Babar Azam has struggled so far, recording two single-digit scores. He will be desperate to silence critics in the derby. Josh Philippe and Jack Edwards have been the lone warriors with the bat, while the veteran Kane Richardson is expected to make his Sixers debut to bolster a bowling unit that has lacked “bite” in the death overs.

ST vs SS, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: December 20; 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney
• Head-to-Head Record in BBL: Matches played: 27 | Sydney Thunder won: 8 | Sydney Sixers won: 18 | No result/Tied: 2

Sydney Showground Stadium Pitch Report

The Sydney Showground Stadium is expected to offer a balanced, slightly slower surface that typically rewards tactical bowling over brute force. Historically, the pitch features a spongy bounce that can make it difficult for batters to time the ball freely, resulting in an average first-innings score of around 145–155.

Squads

Sydney Sixers: Daniel Hughes, Babar Azam, Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Hayden Kerr, Mitchell Perry, Jafer Chohan, Todd Murphy, Kane Richardson, Lachlan Shaw

Sydney Thunder: Sam Konstas, David Warner(c), Matthew Gilkes, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings(w), Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Tom Andrews, Reece Topley, Tanveer Sangha, Blake Nikitaras, Ryan Hadley

Also READ: Sarfaraz Khan shares emotional note after getting picked by CSK in IPL 2026 auction

ST vs SS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Sydney Thunder wins the toss and bowls first
• Sydney Sixers’ powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Sydney Sixers’ total score: 150-160

Case 2:

• Sydney Sixers wins the toss and bowls first
• Sydney Thunder’s powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Sydney Thunder’s total score: 150-165

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also WATCH: Finn Allen launches a colossal 105-metre six off Jack Wildermuth in BBL|15

MUMBAI: Billionaire Gautam Adani is checking into hospitality in a big way, with plans to build “one of the country’s largest hotel portfolios”, anchored around his group’s airports and real estate assets. The move positions the group in direct competition with Tata Group’s Taj, ITC Hotels, and the Oberoi chain (in which Reliance Industries and ITC hold about 19% and 16% stakes, respectively). “We will have upwards of 60 hotels across our airports and real estate businesses. It’s like one of the largest hotel portfolios in the country,” Jeet Adani, director of Adani Group told TOI. “All the hotels will be developed by the group, with the exception of Sahara Star hotel (near Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1),” Jeet said.The group has expressed interest in acquiring Sahara Group’s 88 assets, including the landmark Sahara Star, and has already secured creditors’ approval to buy Jaypee Group assets, which include five hotels in northern India. Navi Mumbai will be a major focus. “We are building about 15 hotels in Navi Mumbai,” Jeet said, underscoring the scale of the group’s hospitality ambitions. The group will “tie up with international hotel operators” to manage these properties. The hospitality push is part of Adani Group’s broader city-side development plan, which includes retail, convention centres, and F&B outlets built alongside its airport terminals. The move is to shift away from dependence on aeronautical revenues, which are expected to fall to just 10% from nearly half today, as city-side development and airport lounges take centre stage.A large convention centre is planned for Mumbai, while Navi Mumbai will feature a smaller 25,000-seat arena, Jeet said. RIL’s Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai’s BKC, opened in 2022, is among the country’s largest such facilities. When asked if the group plans to hive off the hotel portfolio into a distinct entity, Jeet responded negatively. “Real estate will stay with Adani Realty and Adani Properties. Whatever is related to the airport will remain within the airport business. However, we have created a common management team to extract maximum value across both,” Jeet said.