Shubman Gill scored just 291 runs from 15 T20Is at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26 since returning to India’s setup for the shortest format during the Asia Cup in September. The pressure on him was already rising, with the five-match T20I series against South Africa being his last opportunity to silence the critics. However, in three innings, he scored 32 runs before being ruled out of the last two matches with a foot injury.
On Saturday, December 20, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee held a meeting to decide the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to commence from February 7, 2026. Shubman was left out of the side, as Ishan Kishan replaced him following his match-winning century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Haryana on Thursday.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that leaving Gill out of the side is surprising, as he is a class act and a quality batter. The Indian stalwart believes that Gill’s lengthy layoff due to injury may have put off his rhythm. He hoped that the Indian Test and ODI captain would take the snub in the right spirit.
“Leaving out Shubman Gill is surprising. A ‘class act, a quality batter’. I know he struggled in a few matches, but in the end, class always comes through,” Gavaskar said while speaking on Star Sports.
“He was coming back after a long break and didn’t have his rhythm. We have seen in the IPL how good he is, so the lack of touch may have gone against him. I hope Shubman takes this in the right spirit. I wish him the best. Some of his injuries have been strange,” he added.
The former India opener opined Agarkar must have had a clear communication with Shubman Gill, explaining to him why he had been left out.
“Almost certainly, the chairman of the selection committee — and knowing Ajit Agarkar — I’m pretty sure he’ll be on the phone to Shubman, trying to explain to him why they took the call that they did,” said Gavaskar.
“And I think, like Saba said, it’s a course correction. In the sense that when Shubman came into the T20 squad, Sanju Samson went down the order. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma had formed a very good opening pair — a left-hand, right-hand combination — looking to hit the first ball of the game for a six and getting India off to fabulous starts,” he added.
Doesn’t mean he won’t be part of future teams: Gavaskar
Gavaskar feels that dropping Gill should be a temporary arrangement, and Agarkar must have told him that he would be considered for future assignments.
“So I think that is something Ajit will definitely speak to Shubman about — assuring him that he’s always going to be in the discussion. But for this particular tournament, considering the fact that he’s had some injuries and hasn’t been in the best of touch, they’ve left him out. That doesn’t mean he won’t be part of future teams,” said Gavaskar.
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