Shubman Gill Left Out of India's T20 World Cup Squad: Ricky Ponting Reacts

Shubman Gill's Absence Sparks Discussion

The announcement of India's T20 World Cup squad has stirred conversations, particularly regarding Shubman Gill's exclusion. The player, who captains the Test and ODI teams, was omitted after a disappointing performance since rejoining the T20I format in September. Over 15 innings, Gill managed to score only 291 runs, with his highest score being 47. Given the fierce competition for opening positions and the presence of several in-form players, selectors opted to proceed without him.

Ricky Ponting Expresses Surprise Over Gill's Omission

"I was genuinely shocked by that decision," Ricky Ponting remarked during The ICC Review. He acknowledged Gill's recent struggles in white-ball cricket but recalled the player's exceptional performance during the Test series against England, where he showcased remarkable batting skills. Ponting emphasized that Gill's exclusion highlights the impressive depth of talent within Indian cricket, stating, "If a player of Gill's caliber is left out of the World Cup squad, it underscores the wealth of talent available to the team."

Axar Patel Appointed as New Vice-Captain

In light of Gill's absence, Axar Patel has been appointed as the new vice-captain of the team, taking over from Suryakumar Yadav. Ponting praised Patel's consistent contributions with both bat and ball, noting his significance as India aims to secure consecutive T20 World Cup victories. "Patel has been a reliable player for them, often stepping up as a pinch hitter and maintaining consistency with his left-arm off-spin bowling," Ponting added.