The recent announcement of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup in 2026 has given rise to heated discussions and this has all been because of Shubman Gill being shockingly left out. This is particularly surprising since Gill is one of the brightest batting talents that Indian cricket has to offer and he is also the vice-captain of the team in T20 Internationals.
Why Shubman Gill Leaving Out from T20 World Cup Squad by Indian Cricket Team in 2026
The recent batting form of Shubman Gill was also a consideration that went into this decision. It is the second consecutive T20 World Cup that the young player will miss, as he was not selected to represent the country in the previous edition in the USA and West Indies last year. According to the BCCI, the recent form of Gill doesn’t indicate that he is not talented enough.
What Selector Ajit Agarkar Says
Ajit Agarkar, the head of the selectors committee, clarified that this decision was made for team strategic reasons, not personal preferences.
“There’s no doubt about the calibre of Shubman. Although the scores may not be high, that does not affect our views about his talent,” said Agarkar. He pointed out that the team needs two wicket-keepers who are openers, which resulted in Ishan Kishan being preferred over Gill.
Who will be Captain in India T20 World Cup 2026
Suryakumar Yadav holds the captaincy position for the T20 World Cup 2026. With his aggressive playing style and composure duringPressure situations, he is anticipated to lead his team through the toughest matches during the initial phase of the tournament. This playing style matches the selection panel’s notion of having a well-balanced and adaptable team.
What Suryakumar Yadav Said
“It’s not about form. We wanted a keeper at the top, and Shubman is a terrific player,” Yadav reiterated the selectors’ explanation, and his words further emphasize the move was a purely tactical one, in a bid to ensure that India fares well in all kinds of weather.
India T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Full List
| Player | Role in Team |
|---|---|
| Suryakumar Yadav (Captain) | Middle-order batsman |
| Axar Patel (Vice-Captain) | Spin-bowling all-rounder |
| Abhishek Sharma | Opening batsman |
| Tilak Varma | Middle-order batsman |
| Sanju Samson | Wicketkeeper-batsman |
| Shivam Dube | Batting all-rounder |
| Ishan Kishan | Wicketkeeper-batsman |
| Hardik Pandya | Pace-bowling all-rounder |
| Arshdeep Singh | Left-arm fast bowler |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Right-arm fast bowler |
| Harshit Rana | Fast bowler |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Mystery spinner |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Left-arm wrist spinner |
| Washington Sundar | Spin-bowling all-rounder |
| Rinku Singh | Middle-order batsman / Finisher |
ALSO READ: India T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Announced: Check Full List, Captain & Vice Captain
Disclaimer: This Article is based on publicly available information & analysis and does not represent official statements from the BCCI or team management.
