Shubman Gill Addresses ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Omission, Expresses Respect for Team India Selectors' Decision

Indian ODI captain Shubman Gill has broken his silence regarding his unexpected omission from the squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, stating his respect for the selectors' decision and extending his best wishes to the national team. Speaking to the media on January 10 ahead of IND vs NZ 1st ODI 2026 between India and New Zealand, Gill maintained a composed demeanour despite what has been described as a "shock" exclusion from a format where he recently served as vice-captain. India Squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Announced: Suryakumar Yadav Named Captain, Ishan Kishan Surprise Inclusion As Shubman Gill Misses Out.

Acceptance and Future Focus

Gill, who was named India's T20I vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025, addressed reporters with a professional outlook. "I respect the selectors' decision. All the best to the team for the T20 World Cup," Gill stated. He further added, "I am where I have to be and whatever is written in my destiny no one can take that from me. A player always believes he will try his best for the country and the selectors have taken their decision." His comments underscore a mature acceptance of the selection call, with a clear focus on his performance in other formats and future opportunities.

The Selection Rationale

The decision by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to exclude Gill from the 15-member squad, announced on 20 December 2025, sent ripples through the cricketing community. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had previously indicated that Gill's omission was primarily due to a lean run of form in the shortest format. In his last 15 T20 International appearances, Gill managed to score just 291 runs at an average of 24.25, notably failing to register a single half-century.

Selectors also prioritised team balance and an aggressive "slam-bang" approach under T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir. This strategy led to the inclusion of "explosive" profiles such as Abhishek Sharma and the selection of two wicketkeepers, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, at the top of the order, a move that came at the expense of a specialist batter like Gill. India's Jersey for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Unveiled; Rohit Sharma, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saika Unveil New T20I Kit 

Background and Context

Gill's journey in T20 Internationals has seen fluctuating fortunes. While he was a certainty in the ODI setup, his T20I performances have not consistently met his own high standards. For the T20 World Cup 2024, Gill was part of the travelling reserves, and reports at the time clarified there were no disciplinary issues associated with his role. His current focus remains on his role as India's ODI captain, with the upcoming series against New Zealand providing an immediate platform to demonstrate his prowess.

The cricketing world will be watching closely as Gill continues to perform in the formats he currently leads, with many anticipating his strong return to the T20I fold in due course.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2026 02:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).