India T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Announcement date, time live streaming: With the IPL 2026 auction wrapped up, attention in Indian cricket is now firmly on the next major global assignment — the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, the tournament will see the Men in Blue enter as defending champions, a rare position they have found themselves in only once before.
Even though the marquee event is still weeks away, it is set to dominate the weekend discourse due to a key development: the announcement of India’s World Cup squad. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is set to unveil the final 15-member squad well in advance, marking a shift from the usual last-minute approach followed by Indian cricket.
Squad announcement marks early shift in selection strategy
In a notable departure from past practice, the BCCI has decided to name the World Cup squad nearly six weeks before the tournament begins. This early announcement signals a desire for stability and clarity, allowing players and team management ample time to prepare for the global event.
The timing also adds significance to the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home. With the squad already locked in, the series is expected to function as a virtual dress rehearsal for the World Cup, giving selectors and team management a final look at combinations under match conditions. Unless forced by injury, players outside the announced squad are unlikely to feature.
When and where to watch India’s squad announcement
India’s squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be announced at 1.30 pm IST on Saturday, December 20. The announcement will take place at the BCCI headquarters located within the Wankhede Stadium complex in Mumbai.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav are expected to address the media during the press conference. Fans can watch the announcement live on the Star Sports Network, while online viewers can stream it via the JioHotstar website and mobile application.