Shamik Chakrabarty asked Ajit Agarkar at the press conference whether Shubman Gill had been dropped due to form. It was a very simple and clear question. Agarkar answered it, but did so diplomatically. His response suggested that Gill had been left out because he did not fit the combination, with the team management and selectors preferring a wicketkeeper-batter at the top of the order. By doing so, Agarkar managed to avoid directly addressing the question of Gill’s form.
Let’s be clear: had Gill scored a couple of hundreds between September and now, he would have retained his spot in the team. He was given multiple opportunities by the selectors and the management, and the truth is that he wasn’t able to score consistent runs, with a highest score of 47 in the 15 matches he played. In such a scenario, it is fair to conclude that Gill has been left out because of performance. In sport, there is nothing beyond performance.
Having said that, if you agree with the assertion that Gill has been left out due to a lack of runs, you open up a Pandora’s box. Suryakumar Yadav, too, has not been in good form and has averaged 13 in 2025. His form has been a concern, and while the captain is doing all he can to get things back on track, the truth is that his lack of runs is indeed worrying. If the index is a lack of runs for Gill, then questions can also be asked about Surya. While Surya has been superb as skipper, India will need runs from the captain – big runs – in a tournament as important as the World Cup.
By saying that Gill had to make way because the team wanted a different combination, Agarkar was able to avoid the uncomfortable question surrounding Surya. The semantics of the press conference were such that the issue could be skirted and the discomfort avoided.
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While the press conference is now over, the ground reality is that the focus is firmly on Surya. As leader and captain, he will have to score against New Zealand. India need him to step up, and a failure to do so could have an adverse impact on his captaincy. So far, he has led the team very well. But the World Cup is a very different proposition. It is the most important tournament of all, and a lack of runs could impact Surya mentally. That is why the New Zealand series has assumed huge importance from the standpoint of India’s preparation for the World Cup.
Surya did well at the press conference to remain cheerful, but deep down he must be hurting and feeling the pressure. As a very good T20 player, he will be disappointed at not contributing to the team’s cause as consistently as he would like. It is not that he has looked poor on every occasion; rather, he has looked decent at times but failed to convert starts into sizeable scores.
In sum, the team has been chosen and the selection process is complete. But the questions will continue as long as Surya’s bat does not do the talking.
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