Shubman Gill Excluded from T20 World Cup Squad Amid Fitness Concerns
Shubman Gill's Omission from T20 World Cup Squad
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 20: Indian captain for ODIs and Tests, Shubman Gill, faces a major setback as he has been left out of the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup and the T20I series against New Zealand due to concerns regarding his fitness and form.
Suryakumar Yadav will take charge as captain for his inaugural ICC tournament, with Axar Patel stepping in as vice-captain in Gill's absence, following his underwhelming performances since rejoining the T20I team in September.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the team at their headquarters on Saturday, with Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar present.
During the press conference, Agarkar explained that Gill's exclusion was due to the team's exploration of different batting combinations at the top order. He emphasized that Gill remains a talented player.
Gill missed the fifth T20I against South Africa because of a foot injury sustained prior to the fourth match, which was canceled due to fog. His recent form has raised concerns, as he has struggled to replicate his Test success in T20Is, accumulating only 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25, with no half-centuries and a top score of 47.
Agarkar acknowledged Gill's talent but noted that he is currently 'short of a little bit of runs' and that the team required two wicketkeeping options at the top of the order, leading to the decision to drop Jitesh Sharma, who had been batting lower down the order.
He further explained, 'Shubman was the vice-captain; with him out, we need to appoint someone else. Axar has previously served as vice-captain when Shubman was unavailable for T20Is due to Test commitments.'
Agarkar added, 'We are considering combinations. If our keeper is batting at the top, we thought it prudent to have another keeper available. Jitesh hasn't done anything wrong, but we know Shubman's quality, even if he is currently lacking runs. It's unfortunate he missed out on the last World Cup due to our different combinations.'
Alongside Gill, Jitesh Sharma, who participated in the recent T20Is against South Africa, has also been excluded. The defending champions and co-hosts India will kick off their campaign on February 7, aiming for a record third title.
Fiery opener Abhishek Sharma, boasting a strike rate of 188.02, is anticipated to open the innings, with Sanju Samson likely to partner him. Ishan Kishan, who last played a T20I for India in 2023, has been included as a backup opener and wicketkeeper.
Ishan had an impressive SMAT 2025/26 season with Jharkhand, leading them to their first-ever title, scoring 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44, including two centuries and two fifties, with a century in the final against Haryana, and a strike rate exceeding 197.
The Indian middle-order is bolstered by Tilak Varma, all-rounders Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh, providing significant depth. Kuldeep Yadav serves as the specialist spinner alongside Varun Chakravarthy, while Jasprit Bumrah heads the pace attack, supported by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
India is placed in Group A with Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States, commencing their campaign against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai.
India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand T20I series includes: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, and Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper).