Shubman Gill Opens Up About T20 World Cup Exclusion Ahead of ODI Series
Shubman Gill Addresses T20 World Cup Exclusion
Shubman Gill, the captain of India's Test and ODI teams, has finally shared his thoughts regarding his omission from the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. This comes just before the first ODI match of the three-match series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on January 11 at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Kottambi, Baroda.
The announcement of India's T20 World Cup squad took place on December 20, ahead of the January 8 deadline for submitting the provisional list to the International Cricket Council (ICC). Gill's absence from the 15-member team surprised many fans and analysts, especially since he had recently captained the T20I team during the Asia Cup 2025 and was considered a potential successor to current captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of the BCCI, explained during a press conference that the decision to exclude Gill was based on team combinations and his recent performance, rather than a lack of talent. Ishan Kishan was selected to replace him, following his strong performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Gill Shows Respect for Selector's Decision
After the squad announcement, Shubman Gill chose to remain silent amidst the ongoing discussions about his exclusion. However, nearly a month later, he finally addressed the situation while speaking to reporters before the ODI series against New Zealand.
Gill expressed his belief in destiny and his commitment to contributing to the team whenever possible. While he felt disappointed about not being part of the T20 World Cup squad, he respected the selectors' decision and extended his support for the team's campaign in the tournament.
"I believe that I am where I am meant to be in life. Whatever is destined for me will come to pass. As a player, my goal is to help my team win," Gill stated.
"I respect the selectors' decision and wish the T20 team the best of luck. I hope they secure the World Cup," he added.
Gill Prepares for ODI Series Against New Zealand
Shubman Gill is set to make his return to the Indian team in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand after being left out of the T20 World Cup squad. Prior to this, he played in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match for Punjab, where he scored only 11 runs against Goa in Jaipur.
Despite recent challenges, Gill is eager to move past these setbacks and prove his worth in the ODI series against New Zealand. His recent appointment as ODI captain, taking over from Rohit Sharma, was seen as a strategic move to develop him as a key leader in India's 50-over format.
Gill has previously excelled against New Zealand, accumulating 623 runs, including a double century, a century, and two fifties, with an impressive average of 69.22 across 12 matches. He aims to make a significant impact as both a captain and a batsman in the upcoming series.
Shubman Gill's Recent Performance
Since returning to the T20I setup after a year during the Asia Cup 2025, Gill has struggled with his form, failing to deliver consistent performances. He has played 15 T20I matches, scoring 291 runs at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26. His recent outing in the T20I series against South Africa in December 2025 was disappointing, where he managed only 32 runs in three matches before missing the series decider in Ahmedabad.