Shubman Gill's exclusion from India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad has stirred controversy, with reports suggesting the decision was made even before the final T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad. According to sources, the BCCI had already decided against including Gill in the World Cup squad when the fourth T20I in Lucknow was abandoned due to smog.

Gill sustained a minor toe injury during net practice in Lucknow on December 16th, casting doubt on his participation in the Ahmedabad match. While initial fears suggested a hairline fracture, scans revealed it was a mere bruise, and he could have played with painkillers. However, the team management decided not to push him, signaling a potential exit route for the under-performing vice-captain.

Adding to the intrigue, reports indicate that Gill was not informed about his dropping by either the Chairman of selectors, captain Suryakumar Yadav, or head coach Gautam Gambhir until the squad announcement on Saturday morning. This lack of communication has fueled speculation that Gill may feel "let down and slightly disrespected" by the handling of the situation.

Gill's recent performances have been under scrutiny. Since his return to the T20I side during the Asia Cup in September, he has scored 291 runs in 15 games, averaging 24.25 with a strike rate of 137.26, without a single half-century. In the recent T20I series against South Africa, he only managed 32 runs in three games.

The decision to drop Gill also appears to be linked to the team management's desire to explore other options at the top of the order. Sanju Samson's impressive performance in the Ahmedabad T20I, where he scored a quick 37 off 22 balls in an opening stand with Abhishek Sharma, further solidified the decision to exclude Gill. Samson had earlier expressed his preference for a top-order role, leading the team to experiment with him during the Asia Cup and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Despite Suryakumar Yadav's own struggles with form, he has retained his position as captain, while Axar Patel has been appointed as his deputy. The inclusion of Ishan Kishan as the second wicketkeeper alongside Samson adds another dimension to the squad composition.

While the BCCI has not officially commented on the communication aspect of Gill's exclusion, a BCCI official stated that Gill was spoken to before the meeting and that the decision was based on finding the best combination for the World Cup. However, the sequence of events suggests a lack of transparency in the process, leaving questions about the handling of a promising young player.