India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Saturday explained the reasons behind Shubman Gill’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad, saying the decision was driven by his recent lack of runs and the need to strike the right team combination.
Gill, who was recently appointed vice-captain of the Indian T20 side, failed to make a strong impression in the home series against Sri Lanka. He scored 4, 0 and 28 in the matches he played and missed the fifth game due to injury. These performances, Agarkar said, played a role in the selectors’ decision.
Ajit Agarkar Explains Why Gill Was Dropped From T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
Speaking at a press conference after the squad announcement, Agarkar acknowledged Gill’s quality but said the timing had not worked in his favour.
“We know how good a player Shubman Gill is, but at the moment, the runs haven’t really been coming off his bat,” Agarkar said. “Unfortunately, he also missed out on the last World Cup because we decided to go with a different combination.”
Agarkar added that squad selection is often about balance rather than individual talent. “When you pick a 15-member squad, someone has to miss out. This time, unfortunately, it was Gill,” he said.
Extra Wicketkeeper Key to Selection
Agarkar said the team management wanted an additional wicketkeeper at the top of the order, which meant sacrificing a specialist batter. This opened the door for Ishan Kishan, who impressed with strong performances in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
“Ishan has done really well recently, and we felt the need for a wicketkeeper who can bat higher up the order,” Agarkar explained. “Jitesh Sharma hasn’t done anything wrong, but we usually see him as a lower-order batter who can score quickly.”
Surya Backs Gill, Emphasises Balance
India captain Suryakumar Yadav also said Gill’s omission had nothing to do with his form and was purely a tactical call. He pointed out that Gill had been part of matches where India scored over 200 runs after the 2024 T20 World Cup during the Sri Lanka tour.
“We wanted a wicketkeeper in the top order and players like Rinku Singh or Washington Sundar lower down,” Suryakumar said. “So, we needed to add an extra wicketkeeper at the top. There is no question mark over Gill’s form.”
Surya Confident Despite Lean Patch
Suryakumar also addressed concerns over his own form. The Indian captain has struggled in T20 cricket this year, averaging close to 15, but said he is not worried and is confident of returning to his explosive best before the World Cup.
“I know what I need to do, and I will do it,” he said. “This phase has gone on a bit longer than expected, but many players have come back stronger after such periods.”
The 35-year-old admitted that playing the World Cup at home will be challenging but said he enjoys that pressure. “Playing in front of home fans is a big responsibility, but I love that challenge,” he said, adding that the team already has two or three combinations ready.
India will begin their title defence on February 7, with expectations high and team balance firmly in focus.
