Shubman Gill Breaks Silence on Exclusion from T20 World Cup 2026
Indian ODI captain Shubman Gill has addressed his exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, expressing confidence in his abilities and respect for the selectors' decision. He emphasized his commitment to the team and wished the T20 squad success in the upcoming tournament. Gill's comments come ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand, where he reflects on his journey and the challenges faced by the team. His insights shed light on the dynamics of team selection and the expectations placed on players in high-stakes tournaments.
Jan 10, 2026, 15:18 IST
Shubman Gill Addresses T20 World Cup Exclusion
Shubman Gill, the captain of the Indian ODI team, has spoken out regarding his omission from the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. Following Gautam Gambhir's appointment as coach, Gill, who served as the vice-captain of the T20 international team, was not included in India's 15-member roster for the global tournament. In a press conference ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand, Gill acknowledged the selectors' decision, expressing his faith in his destiny and confidence in achieving his goals.
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Before the ODI series against New Zealand, Gill stated, 'Firstly, I believe I am exactly where I need to be in my life. What is written in my fate will come to me. As a player, I aim to lead my team to victory, but I also respect the selectors' decision. I wish the T20 team the best of luck and hope they win the World Cup.' Last year, just before the Asia Cup, Gill was given the opportunity to play in T20 internationals.
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The Indian management had high hopes that this versatile batsman would perform well while playing with an aggressive batting lineup. Gill replaced Sanju Samson, who had scored three T20 international centuries in the past year. He opened the innings alongside his close friend Abhishek Sharma. However, this strategy backfired, leading India to struggle with the aggressive batting style that had become its hallmark under Gambhir's captaincy. Ultimately, just before the T20 World Cup, the selectors decided to revert to Samson at the top of the batting order.