NEW DELHI: India announced its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday, and the selection created a lot of discussion among fans and experts. The biggest surprise was the exclusion of Shubman Gill.
Gill was India’s vice-captain in T20 cricket, but he did not find a place in the final squad. Many people expected him to be selected, so the news shocked everyone.
A few hours after the squad announcement, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen at the Delhi airport. Many media persons tried to ask him questions, especially about Shubman Gill’s exclusion.
However, Gambhir chose not to answer any questions. He walked past the reporters and got into his car without making any comments.
A video of this moment quickly spread on social media.
Watch:
Gill recently played a T20 series against South Africa, but his performance was poor.
He scored only 32 runs in three matches, with scores of 4, 0, and 28.
In modern T20 cricket, teams look for fast scoring and strong starts. Gill’s slow strike rate in the powerplay overs has become a concern. Because of this, selectors felt he was not fitting well into their current plans.
Another major talking point was the return of Ishan Kishan.
The wicketkeeper-batter has been out of the national side for some time due to fitness and availability issues. However, with him making a strong comeback in domestic cricket, selectors couldn't keep their eyes off the southpaw.
Kishan scored a brilliant century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and helped Jharkhand win the title.
During the press conference, chief selector Ajit Agarkar spoke about Gill’s omission. He said Gill is currently short of runs and also missed the last T20 World Cup.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav added that the decision was not only about Gill’s form. He explained that the team wanted a wicketkeeper who could open the innings and play aggressively.
Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey hereAt TOI Sports Desk, reporters work around the clock to bring you ...
Read MoreAt TOI Sports Desk, reporters work around the clock to bring you comprehensive updates from the world of sports. Expect nuanced match reports, previews, and reviews, along with statistics-based technical analysis, the latest social media trends, and expert insights across cricket, football, tennis, badminton, hockey, motorsports, wrestling, boxing, shooting, athletics, and more.
Read LessExpand