Team India opener Shubman Gill has been dropped from the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played in India and Sri Lanka in February-March next year. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar informed Gill regarding his omission from the Indian squad once the selection meeting was over.

India have announced their 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian team, with all-rounder Axar Patel named as the new vice-captain. The same group of players will also represent India in the upcoming five-match home T20I series against New Zealand in January.

Shubman Gill Informed Late About T20 World Cup Snub

According to the latest reports, Shubman Gill was informed about his exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup squad only after the selection process was officially completed. He had not been told about the decision earlier, even though it had been made earlier in the week.

Neither Suryakumar Yadav nor head coach Gautam Gambhir communicated the call to Gill before the squad announcement. This lack of communication is said to have left him disappointed with how the situation was handled.

The team management had already moved on from Gill ahead of the fourth T20I in Lucknow. Gill was keen to play the fifth T20I as the toe injury was not serious. However, he was not included in the playing XI for the final match, with Sanju Samson replacing him.

Team Management Moved On From Shubman Gill Despite Minor Injury

Shubman Gill managed only 32 runs across three matches against South Africa. There were early concerns about a possible fracture to his toe, but scans later confirmed it was only a bruise. He was still left out despite being fit enough to play the Ahmedabad match with medication.

"If making him vice-captain for Asia Cup riding on his England Test heroics was a wrong move as Sanju (Samson) had done nothing wrong, the move to drop him just five games before the start of the T20 World Cup indicates that it is more of a course correction done by Agarkar's panel.

"And the decision has more footprints of the head coach, who's actually not known for maintaining continuity," a former national selector told PTI.

It’s Not Because He’s Not a Good Player - Ajit Agarkar on Shubman Gill’s Exclusion

Ajit Agarkar said that Gill’s omission was due to team balance rather than a lack of ability. With only 15 spots available, the selectors had to make tough choices, and Gill was the one who missed out as part of the best combination.

“You’re looking at combinations at the moment. Someone has to miss out when you take 15. And unfortunately, it’s him (Gill). It’s not because he’s not a good player,” Agarkar explained the decision.

Gill made his T20I debut in 2023 against Sri Lanka. He played again in 2024 but was not selected for that year’s T20 World Cup. After spending some time out of the T20I team, he returned during the Asia Cup in 2025.

Gill has struggled to find consistency since his return. In the Asia Cup, he scored 127 runs in seven matches, with modest returns. His performances in the following series against Australia were also mixed, as he managed some runs but failed to make an impact.