Our Bureau
Mumbai
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning a big change in its T20 strategy by creating two separate Indian T20 teams from a common pool of around 30 to 35 players. The move is being made to handle a packed international calendar and avoid clashes between major events this year.
The decision comes as the Asian Games and the India versus West Indies T20 series are set to take place at the same time. A BCCI official said that with two big events in the same window, the board has to look at two T20 teams playing at once. For this, the officials want a pool of about 30‑35 cricketers who can be called up for any T20 assignment.
This larger pool will also be used for the upcoming Ireland tour, where a bigger squad is usually kept, and the same model will extend to the Asian Games. The BCCI plans to build this group from among the standout performers in the ongoing IPL 2026, using the league’s talent to keep both teams strong and competitive.
Shreyas Iyer is in line to lead one of the two T20 sides. The BCCI wants to reward his consistent performances and leadership in the IPL by giving him a key role in the national T20 setup. The two‑team structure is being seen as a way to deepen India’s bench strength and prepare the side for future multi‑sport events like the LA Olympics.
