Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has not looked surprised at Shubman Gill's snub from the Indian team; according to the legend, this was right to happen since combinations and strategies will change if they backfire.

Following the announcement of the Indian 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, several Indian greats and former cricketers looked surprised by the snub of Shubman Gill from the team, despite his lean patch of form.

Shubman made his return to the Indian side ahead of the Asia Cup and played 15 matches for India, managing to score 291 runs in these games at a strike rate of around 137 and an average of around 20.

Ravichandran Ashwin is not surprised by Shubman Gill's snub

After the snub, unlike the natural reactions from most of the cricket enthusiasts and experts, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that he was not surprised by Shubman Gill's omission, and he could see this coming.

Ravichandran Ashwin didn't mince his words as he clearly stated that the Indian youngster was backed by enough by the selectors as well as the national team coach, as he was even entrusted with vice-captaincy in the T20I team, but he could not keep up with the high expectations.

“Obviously, Shubman Gill had been given a lot of backing," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat.

“The selectors showed a lot of faith because he was directly appointed vice-captain. Right now, it has become very, very clear as to what looks like a very, very good combination. I believe the feedback should also have come from the Indian team management," Ashwin noted.

"India changed their style of play inside the powerplay," observed Ravichandran Ashwin

Shubman Gill clearly had failed to fit into the ultra-aggressive model at the top of the order, and this affected his numbers over time, despite which he was backed for a long time. Ashwin said Gill could not fit into the model successfully, which was passed on by Rohit Sharma.

"We have to remember that India changed their style of play inside the powerplay. Rohit (Sharma) had shown it in the last World Cup. And that’s the style they wanted to continue. And Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma personify that particular passage and pattern of play," observed Ravichandran Ashwin.

However, interestingly, there is not much difference between Shubman Gill's current strike rate in the powerplay in 2025 and Sanju Samson's powerplay strike rate back in 2024. They both struck at around 147, but where Gill lacked was the conversion rate as compared to Sanju Samson.

"I have said before that the combination and formula will change" - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin reminded all of his claims made formerly, as he had always backed the idea of trying different combinations until India could settle in with one. Ashwin also felt that Samson should be given a fair chance, and Gill had received just what he deserved.

“Actually, this is irrelevant. I have said before that the combination and formula will change. And that’s what has happened. I am not surprised. Because I think the way it was going, and we also talked about that you should give the next two T20s if he is available."

"Unfortunately, Shubman got injured, and the way he got injured and Sanju came into the side, it was only a formality that this was going to happen," Ravichandran Ashwin added.