Image Source: BCCI-X
Understand why Shubman Gill is not in India T20 World Cup 2026 squad: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today, Saturday, December 20, announced the 15-member Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. This announcement has created a stir among cricket fans, as the team's star batsman and Test/ODI captain, Shubman Gill, has been left out of the World Cup squad.
Breaking News: Despite being appointed vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025, Gill's exclusion from the World Cup team is considered a major upset.
So let's find out why Shubman Gill was not included in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, and why he was dropped from the team?
Why was Shubman Gill not selected in India T20 World Cup 2026 squad?
Team Balance and the 'Wicketkeeper' Equation
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According to Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, the biggest reason for Gill's non-selection is not individual performance but team balance.
- Ishan Kishan's Entry: The management wanted an aggressive left-handed batsman in the top order.
- Two Keeper Strategy: Including two wicketkeeper-batsmen in the form of Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan left no slot available for Gill.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant to Lead Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy, Virat Kohli Named in Squad
Poor Form and Strike Rate Pressure
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Gill's recent performance in the T20 format has not been up to his standards. Even before getting injured against South Africa, he hadn't played any significant innings.
In modern T20 cricket, a strike rate of over 140-150 is essential, where Gill has recently struggled.Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar's Official Statement
Image Source: BCCI-X
At the press conference, Agarkar expressed his respect for Gill and clearly stated that the decision was difficult
"There is no doubt about Shubman's ability. It's unfortunate that he wasn't in the team for the last World Cup due to a different combination, and this time too, due to team balance, especially the inclusion of two wicketkeeper-batsmen in the top order, he couldn't find a place."
Indian Squad for T20I World Cup 2026
- Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
- Vice-Captain: Axar Patel
- Batsmen: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh
- Wicketkeepers: Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson
- All-rounder: Washington Sundar
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana
Also Read: Ishan Kishan Comeback: From Domestic Cricket to T20 World Cup Squad
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