BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar has opened up on Shubman Gill’s exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup squad. He said the decision was based on team combination and balance, not on Gill’s talent or long-term value to Indian cricket.
The selectors decided to go with two wicketkeeping-batters who could open the innings. Sanju Samson was picked as expected. Ishan Kishan was chosen as the second wicketkeeper after his stunning century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Haryana. This approach left no room for Gill in the final 15-member squad.
Shubman was named India’s vice-captain before the T20 Asia Cup in September. However, his performances in the shortest format did not impress the selectors. Since then, he played 15 T20Is. He scored 291 runs. His average was 24.25. His strike rate stood at 137.26.
“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 was also unlucky to miss out in the last World Cup when we opted for a different combination. Once again, this is more about team balance specifically the idea of having two wicketkeepers at the top than about individual ability,” Agarkar informed the media in a press conference after the 15-man squad was announced.
Selectors Explain Wicketkeeper Choice and Vice-Captaincy Call
Agarkar also explained why Jitesh Sharma was dropped from the squad. Ishan Kishan was preferred instead.
“Combinations are central to everything right now. If your wicketkeeper is batting at the top, you need cover. That’s why we felt it was important to have another keeper in the squad. At the moment, Jitesh has been there and hasn’t really done anything wrong,” he added.
Agarkar also spoke about Axar Patel being named vice-captain. He said the decision was taken to ensure stability within the team.
“Continuity played a big role. Shubman was the vice-captain, but since he’s not in the squad, someone else had to take that role. In the past, when Shubman wasn’t playing T20s due to Test commitments, Axar served as vice-captain. So this decision is about maintaining continuity rather than making a fresh statement,” Agarkar said.
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India Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.
