Ajit Agarkar breaks silence on Shubman Gill's T20 WC snub
What's the story
Indian cricket's chief selector Ajit Agarkar has explained the reasoning behind Shubman Gill's exclusion from the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The decision has raised eyebrows, especially considering Gill's recent promotion to vice-captain and his key role in India's batting order over the last two years. However, Agarkar clarified that it was more about team balance than individual form or performance.
Selector's statement
Agarkar emphasizes team balance over individual performance
Agarkar stressed that the decision to drop Gill wasn't a reflection of his skills. "There's no doubt about Shubman's quality. He may not have scored as many runs recently, but that doesn't change how highly we rate him," he said at a press conference. The chief selector further explained that this decision was more about team balance—especially the idea of having two wicketkeepers at the top—than individual ability.
Captain's perspective
Captain Suryakumar Yadav supports selector's decision
India captain Suryakumar Yadav echoed Agarkar's sentiments, saying the decision was purely based on squad balance and not form. "It's not about his form. It's just about the combination. We wanted to have a keeper at the top," he said. Yadav added that they needed players like Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar for flexibility in their combinations for this tournament, further justifying Gill's exclusion from the squad.
Leadership change
Axar Patel appointed as vice-captain for T20 World Cup
In a major reshuffle, Axar Patel has been appointed India's vice-captain for the T20 World Cup. This comes after Gill's omission from the squad. The team also sees Ishan Kishan's return after an impressive domestic season. Kishan's inclusion strengthens his case as a top-order batsman who also provides wicketkeeping options.
Performance review
Gill's recent T20I performance and overall returns
Gill, who is now India's Test and ODI skipper, was also named the vice-captain of the T20I team ahead of the Asia Cup earlier this year. However, he has had a poor time in the format. His overall T20I returns in 2025 are also modest at best, scoring 291 runs in 15 matches at an average of 24.25 and strike rate of 137.26.
Information
India's squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel (vc), Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh.