Overview
- Former India cricketer Yograj Singh criticized the decision to leave Shubman Gill out of the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, questioning the move after Gill’s elevation to a leadership role last year.
- Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has said Gill’s exclusion was based on team combination needs rather than a judgment on his ability.
- Gill’s recent T20I returns stand at 291 runs in 15 matches at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26, without a half-century.
- Singh invoked the example of Kapil Dev being backed by captain Bishan Singh Bedi during a lean patch and warned against setting a precedent that could affect youngsters like Abhishek Sharma.
- Ishan Kishan was recalled to the T20 World Cup squad on domestic form, while Gill remains central to India’s ODI and Test plans and is set to captain the ODI series against New Zealand from January 11.