Superstar Shubman Gill Breaks Silence After 2026 T20 World Cup Snub

Despite his recent omission, Shubman Gill was a part of India’s 2025 Asia Cup victory and was also named the national team’s new ODI captain.

Superstar Shubman Gill Breaks Silence After 2026 T20 World Cup Snub

Shubman Gill talked about his omission from India's T20 World Cup squad. (via India Today)

Following his exclusion from India’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad, Shubman Gill commented publicly on the decision, offering his views. To everyone’s surprise, Gill had a surprisingly calm and mature response, while he extended his best wishes to the team for the tournament.

2025 was a significant year for Shubman Gill, marked by both successes and setbacks in his career. The 26-year-old began the year by helping India win the ICC Champions Trophy. Following a strong IPL season with Gujarat Titans, Gill was then unexpectedly appointed as India’s new Test captain. His first challenge in this role was a five-match Test tour of England, which ended in a 2-2 draw, with Gill excelling by scoring 754 runs in 10 innings.

After being fast-tracked into the T20I team, where he was quickly named vice-captain and controversially took Sanju Samson‘s opening spot, Gill’s form dropped. The 26-year-old struggled with the bat during the series against Australia and South Africa. In T20Is last year, Gill scored 219 runs at an average of just 24.25 and a strike-rate of just 137.26, without a single half-century, leading to intense scrutiny.

Thereafter, it resulted in Sanju Samson being recalled to replace Gill in the T20I playing XI, as well as the 26-year-old being later omitted from the 15-member World Cup squad. The selectors clarified that Gill’s exclusion was not due to poor form but was a decision to balance the squad, prioritising an aggressive batting approach. While it was a talking point during the pre-match press conference ahead of the first ODI between India and New Zealand, Gill reacted with maturity. 

The young opener offered a calm response to the questions surrounding his high-profile omission. Gill showed respect for the decision made by the team management and selectors. He also emphasized his unwavering commitment to the Indian cricket team and wished for the Men in Blue to win the World Cup with the utmost professionalism. Furthermore, the 26-year-old added that he has accepted the outcome as it is outside of his control.

Firstly, it is my belief that in my life, I am where I am supposed to be… As a player, I want to win games for my team, but having said that, I respect the selectors’ decision. I wish the T20 team the very best. I hope that they win the World Cup.

Nonetheless, Gill will be fully focused on making a strong return to the 50-over format after having missed out on the South Africa ODIs due to a neck injury. The Men in Blue will take on New Zealand in three ODIs at home, starting tomorrow. 

Indian captain Shubman Gill urges BCCI for better scheduling before Test series 

Team India red-ball captain Shubman Gill urged the BCCI to consider players’ requirements and their preparation, before scheduling any Test series this year. Gill’s statement comes at a time when questions have been raised over the team’s crowded international cricketing calendar. 

Shubman Gill on Test schedule
Shubman Gill urged the BCCI to consider players’ needs before making Test schedule. (via India Today)

In 2025, Team India had a significantly busier schedule than other teams, playing in 10 Tests, 22 T20Is, and 14 ODIs. Although the calendar remained an extravagant experience for fans, the relentless match pace opened up the team’s weaknesses. While the Men in Blue performed well in the white-ball formats, their Test form struggled, marked by a 0-2 white-wash home series loss to South Africa.

The outcome of the India-South Africa series drew attention to the team’s lack of preparation for home conditions. Speaking on the matter, Shubman Gill stated that the busy cricketing schedule did not allow the team enough time to prepare. Therefore, Gill stressed the necessity of the BCCI creating a schedule that meets player needs and effectively managing the transition from white-ball to red-ball cricket.

If you look at the last two Test series we played, we didn’t have much time to prepare. It’s not easy playing in India and then playing another match in a different country on the fourth day.

The Indian Test team is on an extended break and will not play until August 2026, when they will tour Sri Lanka for two Tests. In the current WTC standings, the Men in Blue are ranked sixth, having secured victories in only four out of their nine matches.

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