Surprising Omission of Shubman Gill from India's T20 World Cup Squad

The announcement of India's T20 World Cup squad has sparked discussions, particularly regarding the exclusion of Shubman Gill, who many viewed as a future leader. Despite his impressive T20 record, selectors prioritized current performance over potential, leading to his omission. This decision raises questions about team dynamics and the roles of other players like Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav. As the team prepares for the World Cup, the focus shifts to how these changes will impact their performance on the global stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 22, 2025, 22:02 IST

India's T20 World Cup Team Announcement

Devjeet Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, recently unveiled India's squad for the T20 World Cup, and the spotlight quickly turned to one notable absence: Shubman Gill. Many had anticipated Gill to emerge as a future all-format leader, making his exclusion from the 15-member team quite unexpected. In contrast, Sanju Samson made a return to the opening position, while Ishan Kishan, who recently scored a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, was included as a backup wicketkeeper.

Questions Raised About Gill's Exclusion

During the press conference following the selection, questions predominantly focused on Gill's absence. This was particularly surprising given the indications over the past few months that the 25-year-old was being groomed as a potential captain for the T20 format. He has already been entrusted with leadership roles in both ODI and Test formats. Meanwhile, captain Suryakumar Yadav has struggled with form, yet the conversation remained centered around Gill.

Gill's Strong T20 Record

Shubman Gill has maintained a robust record in T20 cricket. Over the last six IPL seasons, he has consistently scored over 400 runs each year, with a strike rate exceeding 135 in the last three seasons. In 2023, he secured the Orange Cap with 890 runs, and during IPL 2025, he led the Gujarat Titans, amassing 650 runs with six half-centuries and an impressive strike rate of around 156.

Concerns Over Gill's Role

Despite his impressive stats, reports suggest that the issue lay with his role in the team. The selectors and management viewed him as a top-order batsman capable of stabilizing the innings, akin to how Virat Kohli has performed in major tournaments. This strategy often required Sanju Samson to bat lower down the order, while Gill was given consistent opportunities in the playing eleven.

Selectors' Tough Decision

However, sources within the team indicate that Gill struggled to find the right balance between power hitting and consistency. In his return, he managed only 291 runs in 15 innings without a single half-century. Additionally, Suryakumar Yadav's lack of form placed extra pressure on the other batsmen, affecting the team's run rate. Consequently, the selectors made a firm decision ahead of the World Cup, emphasizing that performance takes precedence over names or future plans, a clear message underscored by Gill's omission.