In a surprising turn of events, Shubman Gill has been dropped from the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Saturday, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the team and Axar Patel named as the vice-captain. Gill's exclusion has become a major talking point, especially considering he was the vice-captain of the T20I team.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that the decision to drop Gill was based on the team's desired combination. Agarkar acknowledged Gill's talent, calling him a "champion player," but emphasized the need for alternate combinations at the top of the order. The team management has opted for a balanced squad with multiple all-round options and a varied bowling attack.
Gill's recent T20I performance has been a subject of scrutiny. Since returning to the side during the Asia Cup, he has scored 291 runs in 15 matches, with an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137. He has not scored a fifty in this period, with his highest score being 47. In his most recent T20 match against South Africa in December 2025, Gill scored 28 runs off 28 balls. Overall, Gill has played 36 T20Is, scoring 869 runs at an average of 28.03 with a strike rate of 138.60. He has one century and three half-centuries in his T20I career.
In the recent T20 series against South Africa, Gill's scores were 4, 0, and 28. Before that, in the series against Australia in November 2025, he scored 37, 5, 15, 46 and 29. In the Asia Cup 2025, Gill had scores of 12 against Pakistan.
Several factors may have contributed to Gill's exclusion. Firstly, his inability to convert starts into significant scores has been a concern. Secondly, the emergence of other players like Abhishek Sharma and the return of Ishan Kishan, who had a strong Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) campaign, have added to the competition for spots in the top order. Kishan's title-winning campaign for Jharkhand in the SMAT, where he was the top run-getter, has strengthened his case for selection. Sanju Samson has also been picked as the primary wicket-keeper batter.
The decision to drop Gill also indicates a strategic shift in India's T20I approach. The inclusion of all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube provides flexibility and depth to the batting and bowling departments. The selection of Jasprit Bumrah to lead the bowling attack, along with Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, and Kuldeep Yadav, offers variety and experience.
While Gill's exclusion is a setback for the young batter, it also presents an opportunity for him to reassess his T20 game and work on areas where he needs improvement. Gill remains a key player for India in Tests and ODIs, captaining both teams. He is currently ranked among the top batsmen in both formats. His focus will now be on maintaining his form in these formats and making a strong comeback to the T20I side.
