Backed by head coach Gautam Gambhir and team management to open alongside Abhishek Sharma, vice-captain Shubman Gill did not find a place in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Gill was informed about his exclusion minutes before the T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement was made in a press conference on December 20. While captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited lack of runs and team combination as reasons behind the snub, Gambhir decided to dodge the question at the Delhi airport.
As the reporters asked him about Gill's exclusion, Gambhir continued to walk towards the car as he ignored the question. The video has gone viral on social media.
Gill was replaced by an in-form Ishan Kishan in the squad. Kishan scored over 500 runs in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), including a century in the final. While Kishan was chosen as the backup wicketkeeper-batter, Rinku Singh replaced Jitesh Sharma in the squad. Also, Axar Patel was reinstated as vice-captain.
Why Gill was dropped? Captain and chief selector answer
“You’re looking at combinations at the moment. Someone has to miss out when you take 15. And unfortunately, it’s him (Gill). It’s not because he’s not a good player,” Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selection committee, explained in the press conference.
"It's not about form, it's about combination. We wanted to have a keeper at the top. We know the quality that Gill brings," Suryakumar said.
When will Gill be back in action?
Gambhir will join the India camp next year before the ODI series against New Zealand. Gill will be leading India in the three-ODI series against the Kiwis.
Gill’s white-ball record vs New Zealand
Gill has a good T20I record against New Zealand. His only T20I ton, the unbeaten 126 came against the BlackCaps in 2023.
In the ODIs, the 25-year-old has scored 623 runs from 12 innings against the Kiwis, averaging 69.22. He has two centuries and two fifties against them. Also, his only double century came against them as well.