Strategic overhaul defines India’s T20 World Cup approach
In a move that has stunned fans and pundits alike, India’s selectors have chosen to leave out Shubman Gill — until recently the vice-captain of the T20 side — from the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. This decision, confirmed during a press conference by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Suryakumar Yadav, marks a dramatic shift in India’s short-format philosophy just weeks ahead of the marquee tournament.
🚨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, 2025
The exclusion of Gill wasn’t an isolated change. The squad also saw a shake-up in the top order, with wicketkeeper-batters Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan preferred. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar offered insight into the balancing act behind the selections.
Gill, despite recently being handed the vice-captaincy in the T20I setup, failed to leave a mark in the shortest format over the past year. From July 2024 to December 2025, he managed 291 runs across 15 T20Is without registering a single half-century. His highest score, 47, came against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, and though his strike rate stood at a respectable 137, the lack of impactful innings proved costly. Injuries further hampered his momentum, ruling him out of crucial matches that might have tipped the scales in his favor.
“Obviously, Shubman was the vice-captain. He is not in the team, so there will have to be somebody else as vice-captain. And Axar, before that, when Shubman was actually not playing the T20Is and playing Test cricket, when a lot of the T20Is used to clash, was the vice-captain. So, that’s about the vice-captain. Regarding continuity, I mean you are currently examining combinations. If your keeper is going to bat at the top, our thought was to have another keeper, just in case there is a problem. At the moment, Jitesh was there. Again, hasn’t done too much wrong. I mean, Shubman, we know what a quality player he is. Perhaps, shot off a little bit of runs at the moment. Unfortunate to miss out, missed out in the last World Cup as well because you went with different combinations,” said Ajit Agarkar during the post-squad announcement press conference.
The move to prefer wicketkeepers at the top of the order, along with additional middle-order options, appears to have guided several decisions.
“Two keepers at the top, that’s the way we want to try. And obviously, the team management will eventually decide when they play what kind of combinations. Rinku’s come, who gives a little bit more depth, sort of middle to lower middle order. It’s more the combinations. Someone has to miss out when you pick 15. And unfortunately, it’s Gill at this point,” he added.
Agarkar acknowledged that opinions on selection might differ but emphasized that the decision was rooted in a broader strategy involving player roles and team flexibility.
“I mean, your opinion could differ from mine. Sometimes, when you pick on players, it’s a bit difficult to gauge someone else’s opinion compared to ours. We still think he’s a quality player. You go through ups and downs with form, obviously. However, it’s more about the combination we want to play. Or what the team management is comfortable playing. Whether it’s GG and Surya, what their thoughts are, who’s going to bat at the top. Abhishek, obviously, has done what he has done over the last year, maybe a little bit more. And we felt that having a keeper at the top at this point gives us a lot more solidity everywhere else in the team, allowing us to play different combinations. As I said, there are 15 that need to be picked. Someone has to miss out. It’s him. It’s not because he’s not a good player. These are the combinations that the team management is looking for. And fortunately, in Indian cricket, we’ve got some options,” said Ajit Agarkar during the post-squad announcement press conference.
He further explained that scheduling conflicts and role-specific planning across formats sometimes result in deserving players missing out.
“When somebody is playing Tests somewhere else and not playing T20, that doesn’t mean it’s a different combination. When they went to South Africa, where Sanju got those two 100s, or Tilak got 100s, none of the Test players had gone there because the Test team was in Australia. So, sometimes those are the challenges where some people will miss out on a particular format because they are playing something else. So, let’s not make too much out of it. At this point, as I said, obviously Sanju opened last night. We’ve got another keeper as a backup who opens. So, clearly tells you what the thinking along those lines is. And that’s how Gill has missed out,” said Ajit Agarkar during the post-squad announcement press conference.
Ravichandran Ashwin dissects Gill’s exclusion
Ravichandran Ashwin, weighing in on the squad shake-up, emphasized that the decision reflects a broader shift in India’s tactical identity during the powerplay phase. He linked the exclusion directly to a changing vision shared by the captain and team management.
“Obviously, Shubman Gill had been given a lot of backing. The selectors showed a lot of faith because he was directly appointed vice-captain. Right now, it has become very very clear as to what looks like a very very good combination. I believe the feedback should also have come from Indian team management because we have to remember that India changed their style of play inside the powerplay. Rohit (Sharma) had shown it in the last World Cup. And that’s the style they wanted to continue. And Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma personify that particular passage and pattern of play,” said Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat.
Ashwin also dismissed the idea that Samson’s performance in Gill’s absence clinched the decision.
“Actually, this is irrelevant. I have said before that the combination and formula will change. And that’s what has happened. I am not surprised. Because I think the way it was going and we also talked that you should give the next two T20s if he is available. Unfortunately, Shubman got injured and the way he got injured and Sanju came into the side, it was only a formality that this was going to happen,” he added.
Selection based on domestic merit, not just reputation
A parallel theme that emerged in reactions was the significance of domestic performances over IPL reputation alone — a notion that came through strongly in Ashwin’s assessment of Kishan and Rinku Singh’s inclusions.
“I was surprised that Rinku Singh got the opportunity. And in comes Ishan Kishan. And this is big news for many players who play in the First Class circuit. That we have to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. And which is again bringing you back to the factor that some of the bigger players are playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. So the selectors are giving you the message loud and clear. Whichever player you are, whether you are a big player or a small player or whether you are a new player, you perform in First Class cricket and we have our eyes on you. Of course Ishan Kishan has the pedigree, the way he made the double hundred in ODI cricket. This is great news for Indian cricket,” Ashwin said.
Surya, Gambhir and the management back their new blueprint
While the exclusion of Gill stirred debate, India captain Suryakumar Yadav was clear that it came down to fitting the right combinations into a balanced side.
“In any team sport you play, like all the bilateral series we’ve played, 2-3 players come and go. When the players came back, they got the opportunities. We are happy as we are right now. With the squad we have right now, we have 2-3 combinations ready. So happy with what we have right now,” said Suryakumar Yadav during the post-squad announcement press conference.
He further outlined the batting order and revealed that left-right balance isn’t a priority anymore.
“We’ve come to a point, me and Gauti bhai and the other batters, lefty-righty is not what we’re looking for. It’s a little overrated. We’ve fixed number 3 for Tilak, 4 for myself, and then whoever is comfortable. We want to fix that role for Tilak, so he knows what his role is and is happy in that position,” he said.
On Gill’s form and selection, Surya offered a measured response.
“It’s not about his form or anything. It’s just about the combination right now. We wanted to have a keeper at the top. We wanted to have someone like Rinku Singh or maybe a Washington Sundar later on, to have a different combination. So that’s why we brought in that extra wicketkeeper at the top.
And he’s a terrific player. And there’s no question about that. The only thing is that the situation is such that we need a keeper at the top of the order to have two-three good combinations which can win us the World Cup.”
Gavaskar voices empathy — and faith in comebacks
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar voiced his surprise at the decision, while also expressing empathy for those left out despite strong performances.
“It is surprising. He is a classy, quality batter who had an excellent season following the 2024 T20 World Cup. Yes, he had a few quiet matches against South Africa. But class is permanent, and form is temporary. He was also returning after a long break and was a bit out of rhythm,” Gavaskar told JioStar.
Assessing Gill’s struggles in T20 format, Gavaskar said, “When you are not in rhythm in T20s, where you have to attack from the first ball, it becomes tough. His natural game suits Test cricket more, playing along the ground. The shots needed in T20s don’t come as easily. But we know he is a very good player. His IPL performances show that T20 is not new to him. Perhaps just the lack of form and touch worked against him this time.”
Gavaskar viewed Kishan’s return as a rewarding outcome for those performing in domestic cricket, praising not just his current form but also his journey back into the side after a period of exile.
“When you see someone performing, you pick him. Ishan Kishan has already been in the side and shown he can do it. That is a big plus. His current form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy proves that domestic cricket performance must be the selection criteria, not just the IPL. I am very happy for him. He was out of the team for a couple of years but made a fantastic comeback by leading his state team Jharkhand to a title winning season,” Sunil Gavaskar, said on Follow the Blues on JioStar.
This assessment was echoed by Agarkar, who confirmed Kishan’s inclusion was based on form and depth in the wicketkeeping role.
“Ishan has been in good form and has played for India before. Earlier, Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant were ahead of him. At this point, we feel he is the best backup wicketkeeper.” — said Ajit Agarkar during the post-squad announcement press conference.
Gavaskar also stood by Jitesh Sharma, who missed out despite being part of recent tours.
“I feel for Jitesh Sharma though. He did nothing wrong. He was a very good wicketkeeper in his chances, and after MS Dhoni, he was perhaps the best at helping the captain with DRS calls from behind the stumps. It is tough on him, but he is young. He just needs to go back to domestic cricket and keep performing,” Sunil Gavaskar, said on Follow the Blues on JioStar.
Selection called a correction, not an error
Among the bluntest reactions came from former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who saw the move as an overdue course correction by the selectors.
“When you pick some one excitedly on Test performance for T20s, this is what happens. Gill omission is basically selectors rectifying a mistake they made when they got a bit carried away after the England tour,” wrote Sanjay Manjrekar on X (formerly Twitter).
When you pick some one excitedly on Test performance for T20s, this is what happens. Gill omission is basically selectors rectifying a mistake they made when they got a bit carried away after the England tour. #T20WorldCup
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 20, 2025
Silent response from head coach
Adding intrigue to the unfolding drama, India head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen at Delhi airport shortly after the squad was announced but, according to reports, declined to answer any media queries about Gill’s omission. The silence has only added to the speculation around the internal discussions leading to the final team.
As India prepares for its title defense at home, the bold calls taken by the selectors and team management signal a shift towards form-based selections and strategic flexibility. Whether the reconfigured squad delivers results under pressure will soon be tested, beginning with the T20I series against New Zealand on January 21, followed by the much-awaited World Cup opener on February 7.
India squad for T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand series
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan.
