Not Tilak Varma! Gautam Gambhir’s main man named captain as India A squad for T20 WC warm-ups announced

The United States of America will take on India A in a warm-up match ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to begins on Saturday, February 7. According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the India A squad for the fixture, with Ayush Badoni named as the captain.

Tilak Varma will return to action ahead of the World Cup. The left-handed batter has been declared fit for the warm-up games following his recovery from a lower abdominal and groin injury. He successfully completed his rehabilitation at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Ayush Badoni Named India A Captain for T20 World Cup Warm-Ups

The BCCI announced the India A squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup warm-up fixtures. Ayush Badoni has been named captain of the 15-member squad. The team includes several players who have been pushing for national selection.

Tilak Varma and Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Riyan Parag add strong IPL experience to the middle order. They are joined by Ashutosh Sharma and Naman Dhir, while Priyansh Arya has also earned a call-up. Wicketkeeping duties are likely to be shared between Narayan Jagadeesan and Urvil Patel.

No official word but acc to #BCCI website, this is the India A squad for the USA warm-up today: A Badoni (c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Ashutosh Sharma, Priyansh Arya, N Jagadeesan, R Parag, M Suthar, Ashok Sharma, Urvil Patel, Gurjapneet, V Nigam, R Bishnoi, Khaleel, Mayank Yadav

— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) February 2, 2026

Mayank Yadav Returns After Prolonged Injury Layoff

Pace sensation Mayank Yadav returned to the side after a prolonged injury layoff. The speedster, who troubled batters with his 150 kmph thunderbolts in the IPL, has been included in the squad.

He will form a lethal pace trio with left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed and Gurjapneet Singh. The spin department is equally strong, led by the wily Ravi Bishnoi. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar and all-rounder Vicky Nigam have also secured places in the squad.

India A squad for warm-up match vs USA: Ayush Badoni (c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Ashutosh Sharma, Priyansh Arya, Narayan Jagadeesan, Riyan Parag, Manav Suthar, Ashok Sharma, Urvil Patel, Gurjapneet Singh, Vicky Nigam, Ravi Bishnoi, Khaleel Ahmed, Mayank Yadav

Tilak Varma Set for Comeback Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Tilak Varma is set to return to action after being sidelined for nearly a month following testicular surgery. He suffered the injury during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in January.

Varma will make his comeback against the USA at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on February 2. He will then feature in India’s warm-up match against South Africa on February 4, just days before the start of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

India were forced to adjust their batting plans in Tilak’s absence during the recent T20I series against New Zealand, with Ishan Kishan batting at No. 3 in four matches.

Varma has scored 1,183 runs in 40 matches and 37 innings at an average of 49.29 and a strike rate of 144.09, including two centuries and six fifties. India are placed in Group A at the World Cup alongside the USA, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands.

Also read: Arshdeep Singh receives ‘Impact Player of the T20I Series’ medal after India’s 4-1 win over New Zealand