Shubman Gill has been dropped from India’s selection for the 2026 T20 World Cup following a dismal run with the willow in the shorter format. Shubman scored only 291 runs in his last 15 T20Is, with an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26.
On Saturday, December 20, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar selected the roster for the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7–March 9. One of the major talking points from the 15-man selection was the omission of Shubman, who was named India’s vice-captain in T20 cricket in September, ahead of the Asia Cup.
According to, Shubman was told of his snub on Saturday afternoon, shortly before the BCCI announced the T20 World Cup roster and the team for the preceding New Zealand series from its office at 2 pm. The lateness of the call allegedly left little room for anticipation or clarity.
Shubman had left Ahmedabad, the location for Friday’s fifth T20I between India and South Africa, and was on his way to Chandigarh when he received the news. While there is no proof as to who communicated the decision, the report suggests that India’s Test and ODI captain was notified while in travel, learning of the call-up only moments before the official announcement.
Shubman Gill was reportedly taken aback by the decision, as he was preparing to play in the T20 World Cup and the preceding series against New Zealand.
Shubman injured his right foot while batting in the nets ahead of the fourth T20I against South Africa earlier this week. He missed the fixture but was looking to get fit ahead of the fifth game. However, the BCCI medical staff urged caution, and the 26-year-old had to watch the action from the sidelines.
Sanju Samson replaced Shubman in the XI and scored a brisk 37 off just 22 balls, setting the platform for India to post a mammoth 231/5 in the first innings. The Proteas were restricted to 201/8, handing India a 30-run win as they bagged the series 3-1.
As far as the T20 World Cup squad is concerned, the selectors recalled Ishan Kishan as the backup opener after the southpaw led Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this week and also finished as the highest run-getter.
India
