India Use ‘A’ Team Strategy to Test Bench Strength Before Mega Event: With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 just days away, India have announced a strong India A squad for the official warm-up matches. The move highlights India’s clear plan — protect senior players while ensuring reserve options are fully match-ready before the main tournament begins on 7 February 2026.
India A will play two warm-up matches, giving selectors and team management a valuable chance to assess form, fitness, and combinations under match conditions.
India A Players List 2026 Squad
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Captain | Ayush Badoni |
| Batters | Tilak Varma, Riyan Parag, Priyansh Arya, Naman Dhir |
| Wicketkeepers | N Jagadeesan, Urvil Patel |
| All-Rounders | Ashutosh Sharma, Manav Suthar |
| Spinners | Ravi Bishnoi, Vipraj Nigam |
| Fast Bowlers | Khaleel Ahmed, Mayank Yadav, Gurjapneet Singh, Ashok Sharma |
Manav Suthar has been named vice-captain, reflecting the team’s trust in his leadership and all-round value.
Why India A Is Playing Warm-Up Matches
Unlike most teams, India have chosen a balanced approach:
- Main India team will play only one warm-up match
- India A team will play two warm-up matches
- Focus is on workload management and injury prevention
- Reserve players get real match exposure
This strategy allows India to stay fresh while keeping backup players prepared for any situation during the tournament.
India A Warm-Up Matches – Schedule Overview
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 2026 | India A vs USA | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai | 5:00 PM |
| 6 Feb 2026 | India A vs Namibia | BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru | 5:00 PM |
These matches are non-competitive, meaning results will not impact rankings or points tables.
India A Squad for T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches
India A have named a balanced squad featuring young batters, power hitters, all-rounders, quality spinners, and express pacers.
Big Focus on Tilak Varma’s Comeback
One of the biggest talking points is the return of Tilak Varma, who is back in action after recovering from surgery earlier this year.
- Cleared by the Centre of Excellence
- Expected to play both warm-up games
- Key middle-order option for India
- Strong chance to push for a place in the main XI
These matches are crucial for Tilak to regain rhythm and confidence before the tournament begins.
Warm-up games offer teams flexibility and freedom:
- All 15 squad players can be used
- No compulsory final XI at toss
- Players can bat or bowl more than usual
- Ideal for testing combinations and roles
For India A, this means young players get pressure-free exposure against international opposition.
India’s planning ensures:
- Senior players stay fresh
- Bench players remain match-ready
- Injury replacements can step in smoothly
- Tactical options are clearly evaluated
This approach strengthens India’s overall campaign depth in a long tournament.
The India A squad for T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up games reflects smart planning and long-term thinking. With two matches before the tournament, India ensure that both the main squad and reserve players are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
As the countdown to the World Cup begins, all eyes will be on how these young players perform — because strong warm-up performances can quickly turn into World Cup opportunities.
