BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia has dropped a bombshell by announcing that the selectors have dropped Shubman Gill from India’s T20I squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series as well as next year’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
There were already reports that the national selectors were not happy with Shubman Gill’s performance in the shortest format of the game, and now they have taken the big step of showing the way out to the team’s Test and ODI captain for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Selectors showed no mercy as Shubman Gill was dropped from ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Axar Patel has been reinstated as India’s vice-captain, while the rest of the squad is expected for both the T20 series and the showpiece event against New Zealand. Gill’s omission means Sanju Samson will return as India’s opening batsman, while Ishan Kishan was highly rewarded for his domestic performance.
Also Read: Sanju Samson makes bold ‘Gautam Gambhir’ comment after losing opening spot to Shubman Gill
Ishan replaced Gill in India’s T20 squad after being sidelined for almost two years due to strong performances for Jharkhand in domestic cricket. Gill’s continued poor form forced the selectors to take a tough decision. They brought him back as vice-captain in the Asia Cup 2026.
After the Central Asia Cup 2025, the Punjab player recorded scores of 37 not out, 5, 15, 46, 29 not out, 4, 0, and 8, and these numbers were not enough to retain his place in the team for the mega event. After the announcement, fans are appreciating the bold decision of the selector and Suryakumar.
Here’s how fans reacted to Shubman Gill’s ouster:
Shubman Gill has been dropped, which is understandable, but personally I would have brought in Jaiswal before Ishan Kishan.
Jitesh Sharma has also been let go in favor of Rinku Singh, which means Sanju Samson will start as the opening batsman for India. https://t.co/r7lH6fh84G
– Behram Qazi (@DeafMango) 20 December 2025
Played the Asia Cup on the tough pitches of Dubai and Australia and scored 214 runs in 10 matches with a strike rate of 128, yet was dropped when it came time to play statpad innings again on the flat pitches of India.
-Shubman Gill It’s hard to be a man.#T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/6On5oEsHku
— 𝐂◆𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥⁰⁷ (@CalmStormDhoni) 20 December 2025
Last time, when he left out Shubman Gill from the World Cup squad. https://t.co/RUBMOwa9ED pic.twitter.com/qNSN39fGcZ
– Reach_God18 (@Reach_God_18) 20 December 2025
For many, dismissing Shubman Gill is a tough call, but the numbers don’t lie.
In a format where every ball counts, India have been picking high-octane openers who fit the modern template.
Deserving talents like Ishaan and Sanju are getting their due.@bcci@ICC#Cricket
– Fact (@MrCreater178) 20 December 2025
Some media organizations did great PR to retain Shubman Gill in the team citing the need for an anchor, dropped Dubey etc.
Now, the same organizations/people are taking credit and saying performance matters etc.
Friend, at least stick your neck out…
– Yash Lahoti (@YvLahoti) 20 December 2025
“Sometimes catches win trophies too”
Devjit Saikia said this when Sky was completing its reply on the lack of runs.
Shubman Gill run out, out.
Skye is in terrible form and runs in but tells a joke and gets two saves.
– Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) 20 December 2025
At the age of just 26, Shubman Gill has failed to secure a place in India’s T20 World Cup team.
years can change
But Virat Kohli is still India’s only all-format batsman in international cricket. pic.twitter.com/dqUJmMJdV8– 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) 20 December 2025
Shameless Shubman Gill out of T20 World Cup squad.
Great news for Indian cricket fans.
#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/RJgF3H8M6U– Vivek (@kumarvivek_22) 20 December 2025
Finally the Nyay Gang is getting justice…???
sanju samson #T20WorldCup2026
Meanwhile fans of Shubman Gill pic.twitter.com/ZpxHHbnpnP
– ۖۜۜAяαиүα (@kohli_goat) 20 December 2025
Big surprise, Shubman Gill out, Ishan Kishan returns, BCCI is making changes in the team. #T20WorldCup,
It will be interesting to see what effect this has on team dynamics and performance.– PDA India (@PDAIndia) 20 December 2025
One of the best team selections ever – hard to see anyone disappointed. It is a great decision to include Ishan Kishan by leaving out Shubman Gill.#T20WorldCup2026 https://t.co/Qjs1KKGz8s
– Divyanshu Dev (@i_dev09) 20 December 2025
Shubman Gill left out of T20 World Cup team. crazy! Looks like GG makes selections based on social media#T20WorldCup2026
– Tavin Sethi (@TavinSethi) 20 December 2025
India’s squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and T20I series against New Zealand:
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel (VC), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wk), and Rinku Singh.
Also read: Ajit Agarkar reveals the real reason behind Shubman Gill’s exclusion from the Indian T20 World Cup squad
India will enter ICC T20 World Cup 2026 as clear favorites
Meanwhile, the India national cricket team is heading into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with confidence and even higher expectations. As the defending champions and currently the most consistent T20I team in the world, India start the tournament as clear favourites.
With India and Sri Lanka hosting the event together, the men in blue will also enjoy familiar conditions. They have been drawn in Group A along with Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan and the United States. The Men in Blue will begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 in Mumbai, where they will face USA in the opening match.
