Two Indian T20I Teams Playing At Same Time? BCCI Says ‘Important To Have A Pool Of 30-35 Cricketers’

Last Updated:April 20, 2026, 11:36 IST

BCCI plans a 30 to 35 player pool to field two India T20I teams for overlapping Asian Games and West Indies series, using the Ireland tour to test IPL performers.

Suryakumar Yadav posing with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy (X/ICC)

India’s ever-expanding talent pool, fuelled by the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) steady supply of match-ready players, has prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to think beyond a single core squad for the shortest format of the game.

With a packed international calendar ahead, the board is now working towards building a pool of 30-35 players capable of representing India across simultaneous assignments.

The urgency arises from scheduling overlaps later this year, particularly with the Asian Games coinciding with a T20 series against the West Indies. This has forced selectors to consider fielding two competitive teams at the same time.

Two Indian Teams?

Outlining the approach to NDTV, a BCCI official said, “The Asian Games and India vs West Indies T20 Series are going to be at the same time. So we have to look at two T20 teams playing. It is important from now to have a pool of 30-35 cricketers who can be called up for International assignments. For the upcoming Ireland tour, like most tours to UK, a bigger pool of players will be kept in the squad. This will extend for the Asian Games.”

The move reflects a broader strategic shift, with cricket now part of multi-sport events such as the Olympics in 2028. As a result, depth and flexibility have become essential. The Ireland tour is expected to serve as an experimental platform, where fringe players can be tested within an expanded squad framework ahead of future tournaments, including a proposed T20 series against Afghanistan.

Which Players Can Make India Debut?

Selectors are closely tracking emerging IPL performers. Young batters such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Priyansh Arya, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi have impressed, while Rajat Patidar and Ayush Badoni remain firmly in contention. All-rounders like Shashank Singh and Anukul Roy offer valuable balance, while bowlers such as Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Kartik Tyagi, and Khaleel Ahmed add depth to the attack.

Behind the stumps, Dhruv Jurel is a strong contender, while Shreyas Iyer is likely to lead one of the sides.

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