Shubman Gill Left Out: India Announces T20 World Cup Squad Without Young Opener

Shubman Gill has been excluded from India’s T20 World Cup squad, as his recent performance statistics in the format have not been favorable. The Indian Test captain has gone 18 consecutive T20I innings without reaching a half-century, a significant dry spell that has impacted his selection in a format that prioritizes immediate impact and high scoring.

Despite occasional glimpses of promise, they have not shifted the overall pattern. Gill’s notable performance was a 28-ball 47 against Pakistan during the 2025 Asia Cup, marking his return to the T20I team, but it stands out as an exception in an otherwise inconsistent streak. Over the year, he accumulated 291 runs in 15 innings, with his highest score being 47, averaging 24.25 and maintaining a strike rate of 137.26. His record also includes five single-digit scores.

In contrast, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav clarified that form was not the primary reason for Gill’s exclusion. He explained that team composition was a key factor, particularly the need for a wicketkeeper to open the batting.

The recent T20I series against South Africa did little to alter these impressions, as Gill scored 4, 0, and 28, amplifying concerns about his effectiveness and consistency at the top order.

Squad
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper)

Published on December 20, 2025