Snubbed! 3 Stars Left Out of India A’s T20 World Cup Warm-up Squad
NAVI MUMBAI, India — The road to the 2026 T20 World Cup officially kicks off today at the DY Patil Stadium. While the senior team preps for their opener, India A takes on the United States of America in a high-stakes warm-up clash at 5:00 PM IST. This isn’t just a practice run; it’s a final audition for fringe players like Tilak Varma and Ayush Badoni to crack the main roster.
The selectors named a stacked 15-man squad, welcoming back a fit-again Varma and unleashing the pace of Mayank Yadav. But for every inclusion, there’s a heartbreak. Despite stellar domestic seasons, three names were conspicuously absent from the team sheet.
The “Unlucky” XI: 3 Players Who Deserved the Call
The selection committee had a headache, but leaving these three performers at home? That’s a migraine for the fans.
#3 Harsh Dubey (Vidarbha)
If you watched the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy, you know this name. The left-arm spinner was a revelation for Vidarbha, playing a pivotal role in their deep tournament run. He didn’t just contain batters; he strangled them. Add to that a six-wicket haul in his last Ranji Trophy outing, and you have a bowler in peak form.
The Verdict: With Manav Suthar grabbing the sole left-arm spin slot, Dubey became a victim of the numbers game. But his ability to lock down an end in the powerplay makes this exclusion a tough pill to swallow.
#2 Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat Titans)
This is the big one. The 2025 IPL Orange Cap winner is sitting at home. Reports suggest a rib injury from the Vijay Hazare Trophy sidelined the stylish left-hander, forcing the selectors’ hands. If fit, Sudharsan wasn’t just a contender for India A; he was knocking on the door of the senior World Cup squad.
His consistency is robotic. He churns out runs while others swing for the fences. In a lineup heavy on power hitters like Priyansh Arya, Sudharsan’s anchor role would have been the perfect counterbalance.
#1 Prabhsimran Singh (Punjab)
Fitness? Check. Form? Check. Selection? Denied.
Prabhsimran Singh has been hovering around the India A setup for months. He recently featured for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy against Karnataka, dispelling any injury rumors. Yet, the selectors opted for N Jagadeesan and Urvil Patel behind the stumps.
Critics argue Jagadeesan’s white-ball intent has stagnated, while Prabhsimran offers explosive starts that define modern T20 cricket. Leaving out a keeper-batter with his ceiling feels like a missed opportunity to test legitimate backup options for the World Cup.
“We know the competition is cutthroat. Every guy in that dressing room knows they are one big inning away from the main stage. For the guys who missed out—keep breaking the door down. We hear you.” — India A Coaching Staff (Anonymous Source)
What This Means for the World Cup
Tonight’s match against the USA isn’t just about winning; it’s about Tilak Varma’s fitness and Ravi Bishnoi’s rhythm. If Varma fires, he could be parachuted directly into the senior team’s middle order before their February 7th opener.
For the USA, led by Monank Patel, facing Mayank Yadav’s 150kmph thunderbolts is the ultimate litmus test before the tournament proper. Expect fireworks in Navi Mumbai.
