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India’s T20 World Cup squad leaves out Shubman Gill as selectors back Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, betting on balance, form, and flexibility.

Why This Selection Has Everyone Talking

India’s squad announcement for the upcoming home Twenty20 World Cup has sparked immediate debate, not because of who made the cut—but because of who didn’t. Shubman Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain and one of the country’s most visible young stars, has been left out of the 15-member T20 World Cup squad.

Instead, the selectors have recalled Ishan Kishan and doubled down on a wicketkeeper-heavy top order, signaling a clear strategic shift ahead of the marquee tournament set to be played across India and Sri Lanka early next year.

A Bold Call on Shubman Gill

Gill’s omission stands out precisely because of his stature in Indian cricket. While he continues to be a mainstay in Tests and one-day internationals, his struggles in the shortest format have become harder to ignore.

The opener has gone 18 consecutive T20 International innings without scoring a half-century, a lean run by any standard at the elite level. His absence from Friday’s match against South Africa due to a foot injury only compounded concerns about form and availability.

Selectors have stressed that the decision is not an indictment of Gill’s talent, but rather a reflection of the team’s current tactical needs in T20 cricket.

The Rise of the Wicketkeeper-Opener Formula

One of the clearest themes in India’s squad selection is the preference for wicketkeepers who can open the batting. Sanju Samson, who has made the most of limited chances, underlined his credentials with a fluent 37 in India’s 30-run win over South Africa in Ahmedabad.

Partnering Abhishek Sharma at the top, Samson provided early momentum, something India’s think tank clearly values heading into a high-pressure global tournament.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained the rationale behind the decision during a media briefing in Mumbai.

“It’s more to do with the combination that we want to play, or what the team management is comfortable with,” Agarkar said.
“We felt the keeper at the top at this point gives us a lot more solidity than anywhere else in the team to play different combinations.”

Ajit Agarkar on Gill’s Exclusion

Agarkar was careful to address the inevitable questions surrounding Gill’s absence, emphasizing that squad limits not player quality, dictated the final call.

“There are only 15 that we could have picked. Someone has to miss out. It’s him,” he said.
“It’s not because he’s not a good player.”

The message from the selection panel was consistent: the decision was about balance, flexibility, and present form rather than reputation or future potential.

Ishan Kishan Earns His Way Back

If Gill’s exclusion was the headline shock, Ishan Kishan’s return was the feel-good story of the announcement. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter forced his way back into contention with a commanding domestic season.

Kishan captained Jharkhand to a title-winning campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, capped by a match-winning century in Friday’s final against Haryana. That knock, delivered on a big stage, appears to have sealed his recall.

His inclusion gives India another aggressive option at the top and reinforces the selectors’ commitment to explosive starts in the powerplay.

Squad Built for Versatility and Firepower

India’s 15-member squad reflects a deliberate attempt to cover all bases in T20 cricket, pace, spin, depth in batting, and multi-skill players.

India T20 World Cup Squad:

• Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)

• Abhishek Sharma

• Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)

• Tilak Varma

• Hardik Pandya

• Shivam Dube

• Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)

• Rinku Singh

• Jasprit Bumrah

• Harshit Rana

• Arshdeep Singh

• Kuldeep Yadav

• Varun Chakaravarthy

• Washington Sundar

• Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)

Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership continues, with Axar Patel named vice-captain—an indication of his growing influence in white-ball cricket.

Bowling Core Anchored by Bumrah and Varun

India’s bowling attack blends experience with variety. Jasprit Bumrah remains the leader of the pace unit, supported by left-armer Arshdeep Singh and emerging quick Harshit Rana.

In the spin department, Varun Chakaravarthy will spearhead the attack, offering mystery and control through the middle overs. He is backed by Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist-spin and Washington Sundar’s all-round utility, giving India multiple matchup options depending on conditions.

Hardik Pandya’s Central Role

Hardik Pandya looms large over India’s title defense. As the team’s premier seam-bowling all-rounder, his fitness and form could be decisive in determining how far India go.

Pandya’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball provides balance, especially on subcontinental pitches where all-rounders often tilt the contest.

What This Means Going Forward

The same squad will feature in a five-match home T20 series against New Zealand next month, offering the team management a final opportunity to fine-tune combinations before the World Cup begins on February 7.

With matches spread across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka, adaptability will be crucial. The current squad suggests India are prioritizing flexibility, aggressive batting starts, and bowling variety over established hierarchies.

A Selection That Signals Intent

Leaving out a player of Shubman Gill’s stature is never easy, but this selection underscores a broader truth about modern T20 cricket: reputation alone is no longer enough.

India’s selectors have made it clear that current form, role clarity, and tactical fit will dictate selection decisions, even if it means making uncomfortable calls. Whether this gamble pays off will only be known when the tournament unfolds, but for now, the message is unmistakable.

India are building a T20 side for the present, not the past.

 

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