When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the timing to announce the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, not many expected any surprises. The management backed Shubman Gill, who has been part of the team since the Asia Cup 2025, and they were expected to stick with him despite some diminishing returns. But who knew we were in for a major surprise?
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced the team on Saturday, which was unforeseen in the first place, and the biggest exclusion was of Shubman Gill. The BCCI selection committee pivoted from their stance by axing Gill, who initially replaced Sanju Samson in the T20I setup. Unsettling combination and Gill’s poor form played a part in that but it was a huge surprise since the management is known for backing players and it was unexpected for them to drop their vice-captain this close to the T20 World Cup 2026.
The Shubman Gill debate for T20 World Cup 2026
Since being reinstated as opener and vice-captain in 2025, Gill has not scored a single half-century in 15 T20I innings. His average has dipped below 25, and his strike rate has failed to cross 140. However, the BCCI eyed him to perform a role that perhaps Virat Kohli played in the last edition, something that Robin Uthappa also alluded too. He was set to take the reins from Suryakumar Yadav as well post the T20 World Cup.
However, the disturbance it caused proved to be too much for the management to ignore. First, Samson had to bat out of place before getting benched altogether. India couldn’t afford to include Rinku Singh, as Jitesh Sharma had to come in as a keeper-finisher. Now, the BCCI has backtracked on their decision, with Samson and Rinku both in the team.
Agarkar wanted Gill but others opposed
Now, in a new development, not all BCCI selectors were on the same page. As per journalist Rajeev Mishra, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir never wanted to leave out Gill. While speaking on ‘Inside Story’ YouTube channel, he said that the meeting had inner disagreements. The BCCI selection committee is led by Agarkar and includes Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, and newly appointed selectors RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha.
Apparently, both RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha and one other selector opposed Gill’s inclusion in the side. As per Mishra, these three made up their minds before the selection meeting and didn’t feel he fit into the T20I setup right now. Since the most selectors (3) didn’t see Gill in the side, Agarkar had no option but to listen to the majority. Hence, it all makes sense now as to why Gill was informed about his exclusion just a few minutes before the announcement.
India squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel (vc), Rinku Singh
