Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are the confirmed first-choice openers. Team management prefers this Left-Right combination to maximize the powerplay.
He is now an "indispensable star" following a 2025 season where he scored over 800 runs at a massive strike rate of 195+. He will be the primary aggressor.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that they want a "wicketkeeper who opens" for better team balance. Samson’s three T20I centuries at the top this year secured his spot.
In a major shock, former vice-captain Shubman Gill has been dropped entirely from the 15-man squad. The selectors cited his "lack of runs" and a strike rate that didn't fit the new aggressive blueprint.
Ishan Kishan has made a comeback after two years. He is in the squad as the secondary wicketkeeper and the designated "reserve opener" if Sharma or Samson are unavailable.
Surprisingly, Jaiswal is not in the main 15-member squad. He remains a standby player, meaning he will only open if there is an injury to the main squad members.