Harbhajan Singh Backs Shubman Gill for T20 World Cup Comeback
Shubman Gill Excluded from T20 World Cup Squad
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his support for Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, who was notably left out of the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for February 7. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia announced the squad during a press conference held on December 20, alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
The announcement of the squad led to widespread discussions, particularly regarding Gill's unexpected omission, which raised questions among fans and analysts about the team's selection for the T20 World Cup 2026. Previously, Gill served as India's T20I vice-captain and was considered a potential successor to Suryakumar Yadav in the captaincy role for the shortest format, having already taken charge in Tests and ODIs.
Despite his exclusion, Gill is set to participate in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, which serves as India's final preparation before the World Cup. Ajit Agarkar, the BCCI chief selector, cited a lack of runs and team combinations as reasons for Gill's omission.
Harbhajan's Confidence in Gill's Future
The decision to exclude Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup squad has sparked significant debate, particularly given his previous role as T20I captain. However, Harbhajan Singh remains optimistic about Gill's ability to return to form following this setback.
At the launch event for the fourth season of the Legends 90 League in Dubai, Harbhajan remarked that Gill faces tough competition but emphasized that this exclusion does not signify the end of his career in T20 cricket. He stated, "It’s not a signal to Gill. He was not taking his place for granted. The competition is so much, and they’ve got too many players in the present scenario who can fill that slot and can do well for the team."
Harbhajan further noted, "This is not the end of the road for Gill; he’s a great player with beautiful technique, and he will make a brilliant comeback. Plus, he’s still the Test captain for India."
Gill's Recent Performance and Future Matches
Since returning to the T20I setup after a year during the Asia Cup 2025, Shubman Gill has struggled with his form, failing to deliver consistent performances. Although he was positioned at the top of the batting order, replacing Sanju Samson, he has yet to achieve the expected impact.
In his recent T20I appearances, Gill has scored 291 runs at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26 over 15 matches. His performance in the T20I series against South Africa was particularly disappointing, where he managed only 32 runs across three matches before missing the series decider in Ahmedabad.
Harbhajan Singh reiterated his belief in Gill's talent, stating, "Gill is a class player, there is no doubt about it, and he’ll make a great comeback."
Upcoming Matches for Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill is set to return to domestic cricket, representing Punjab in two group stage matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Sikkim and Goa on January 3 and 6, respectively. These matches will serve as crucial preparation for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.