Indian selectors on Saturday left out Shubman Gill from the T20 squad for the upcoming World Cup in February.
Gill, who also captains India in Tests and One-Day Internationals, has struggled in T20 cricket over the past year. The 26-year-old has scored just 291 runs in his last 15 T20 matches. His average is 24.25, prompting selectors to make a tough call ahead of the global event.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the decision during a press conference in Mumbai. He said Gill is currently short of runs. Moreover, the team management felt the need to prioritise players in better form for the World Cup.
Despite similar concerns, the selection panel retained Suryakumar Yadav as captain. A recognised T20 specialist, Suryakumar has managed only 244 runs in his last 22 innings in the format. He has not scored a fifty during that stretch. Even so, Agarkar said the selectors have full confidence in their skipper to perform when it matters most.
🚨India’s squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 announced 🚨
Let’s cheer for the defending champions 💪#TeamIndia | #MenInBlue | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/7CpjGh60vk
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 20, 2025Suryakumar himself admitted that his lean patch has lasted longer than expected. However, he expressed confidence in his ability to recover before the tournament. He said he knows what adjustments are needed and believes fans will soon see him deliver with the bat again.
The selectors named Axar Patel as vice-captain, underlining his growing importance in the T20 setup. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan earned a recall after impressive performances in domestic cricket. Kishan last represented India in 2023 and returns as a wicketkeeper-batsman option.
Read: ICC Launches Ticket Sales for Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
The same squad will also contest a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand starting January 21. These matches will serve as India’s final international outing before the World Cup.
The 10th edition of the tournament, officially known as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, will be jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and India. There will be 20 teams competing. India entered the event as defending champions after defeating South Africa in a dramatic final in Barbados in 2024.
India’s 15-member squad includes Suryakumar Yadav as captain, Axar Patel as vice-captain, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar and Ishan Kishan.
