India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement sparked widespread debate after star batter Shubman Gill was left out of the final list and stripped of his vice-captaincy role.
The surprise omission drew a measured and insightful response from former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who urged the young batter to accept the decision with maturity and focus on the road ahead.
Gill, who returned to India’s T20I setup during the Asia Cup 2025, has endured a lean patch in the shortest format. Despite his pedigree, the right-hander failed to score a single half-century across his last 15 T20I innings, a slump that ultimately weighed against his selection for the global tournament.
Gavaskar Urges Gill to Accept the Decision Positively
Reacting to the development, Gavaskar advised Gill to take the exclusion in the “right spirit” and continue backing his ability. Speaking on Star Sports, the batting great stressed that setbacks are part of a cricketer’s journey and should be used as motivation rather than disappointment.
Gavaskar also expressed confidence that BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar would have personally communicated the reasons behind the decision to Gill, ensuring transparency and clarity about his future in the national setup.
According to Gavaskar, such conversations are crucial in helping players stay mentally strong, especially when tough selection calls are made ahead of major tournaments.
Dip in Form and the Impact of Injuries
Gill’s omission was not just about numbers but also timing. Since his return to the T20I side, injuries and a lack of rhythm affected his performances.
Gavaskar pointed out that some of Gill’s recent injuries were “freakish” and may have disrupted his momentum at the international level.
The former opener explained that T20 cricket can be unforgiving, especially for batters returning after a layoff. Without rhythm, the demands of attacking from the first ball become significantly harder to meet.
T20 Format Challenges and Natural Game
Gavaskar further analysed Gill’s batting style, noting that his natural strengths lie in timing and playing along the ground, traits that shine more consistently in longer formats.
When timing deserts a batter, adapting to the power-hitting demands of T20 cricket can be challenging.
However, Gavaskar was quick to dismiss any suggestion that Gill is unsuited to the format. He highlighted Gill’s impressive IPL record as clear evidence of his T20 credentials, reinforcing that form is temporary while class is permanent.
Selection Strategy and Opening Combination
Another factor discussed was India’s tactical decision to persist with two wicketkeeper-batters at the top of the order.
Gavaskar described the move as a “course correction,” pointing out how Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma had earlier formed an effective opening partnership.
Gill’s return had pushed Samson down the order, and the selectors’ decision appears aimed at restoring balance and flexibility in India’s T20 lineup for the World Cup.
Future Still Bright for Shubman Gill
Despite the setback, Gavaskar was optimistic about Gill’s future. He reassured that missing out on one tournament does not define a player’s career and that Gill will remain firmly in contention for future selections.
With Axar Patel taking over as vice-captain for the T20 World Cup 2026, the focus now shifts to Gill’s response. If history is any indication, the talented batter is well capable of using this phase as fuel for a strong comeback.
