In a surprising turn of events, Shubman Gill has been dropped from India's 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held on home soil. The decision, announced on Saturday by the national selection committee, has sparked considerable debate among cricket fans and experts alike.
Gill, who was the vice-captain of the T20I team, has been struggling with consistency in recent months, which appears to have influenced the selectors' decision. Explaining the omission, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that Gill's "lack of runs" was a key factor. "Obviously he (Gill) has been short of runs and since he wasn't picked, we needed a vice-captain," Agarkar said during the press conference. He also noted that Gill had missed the last World Cup.
Despite acknowledging Gill's current form, Agarkar emphasized the player's quality and the difficulties in making such selections. "We still think he's a quality player. You go through ups and downs with forms, but it's more about the combinations you want them playing," he said. Agarkar further added that Gill's omission was not due to a lack of ability, but rather a result of the team's desired combination and the options available in Indian cricket.
With Gill's exclusion, Axar Patel has been named the vice-captain of the squad. The squad also sees the return of Ishan Kishan, who impressed with his performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Rinku Singh. Kishan has been selected as the second wicketkeeper, edging out Jitesh Sharma, and will also serve as a reserve opener.
The selected squad reflects an emphasis on balance and versatility. The batting lineup boasts a mix of experience and power-hitting prowess, while the bowling attack combines pace and spin options. Jasprit Bumrah spearheads the pace attack, supported by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, who earns his maiden call-up. The spin department will be led by Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.
India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 is as follows: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), and Rinku Singh.
As India prepares to host the T20 World Cup 2026, the focus will be on fine-tuning the team's strategies and combinations to maximize their chances of success on home turf.
