India legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise at the selectors’ decision to leave out vice-captain Shubman Gill from the squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be staged in India and Sri Lanka.
Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar said:
“It is a surprise. He (Gill) is a classic, quality batter who had a fabulous season after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Yes, he struggled in a few matches against South Africa, but class is permanent and form is temporary.”
India announced their squad for the T20 World Cup on Saturday, with Axar Patel being appointed the new deputy to Suryakumar Yadav. Gill was brought back into India’s T20I set-up earlier this year ahead of the Asia Cup. He returned after spending a year on the sidelines and was made vice-captain. However, the 25-year-old failed to impress, as he did not register a single fifty. He played 15 matches, scoring 291 runs at an average of 24.25. Many experts and fans expressed concern over his form.
Gavaskar also believes that Gill’s natural game is not ideally suited to T20 cricket.
“He was also coming back after a long break and was out of rhythm,” he added. “When you are not in rhythm in T20 cricket, where you have to attack from the start, it becomes difficult. His natural game is more suited to Test cricket, playing along the ground. The shots required in T20 cricket do not come as easily to him. He is a very good player, we have seen that in the IPL, so T20 is not new to him. Maybe that lack of form and touch went against him.”
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