A major controversy has erupted over India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad, with explosive claims suggesting that middle-order finisher Rinku Singh was selected as “non-negotiable” due to political pressure, which directly led to Shubman Gill’s exclusion.
It is being said that Rinku was never a part of the plans for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but political influence in the BCCI selection committee made it possible and players like Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jitesh Patel had to pay the price.
Rinku Singh: Choose “non-negotiable” option amid political pressure
No matter the team balance or form equation, Rinku was treated as a non-negotiable selection. Reports indicated that BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla pushed for Rinku’s selection in the T20 World Cup squad at the expense of Gill.
Also Read: Shubman Gill Vijay Hazare Trophy participation: Complete schedule, venue and dates revealed
It was hinted that the national selectors were under extreme political influence during the final meeting, and at the last minute, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star was named in the squad, ultimately sacrificing Shubman Gill. It is being said that Rinku Singh’s Asia Cup 2025 selection was also influenced by political pressure.
Everyone knows what “Rinku cycle pe ajna” means
Same thing happened in Asia Cup also
And the main reason for Gill’s omission from the World Cup squad was this decision because it took Jitesh out of the team and you needed a backup keeper https://t.co/SE9g9MdiGl pic.twitter.com/6OwyHLV2Ln
– Sawai96 (@aspirant_9457) 27 December 2025
“Bicycle” sign and political connections
Both Rajiv Shukla and Rinku Singh are from Uttar Pradesh, but the big twist is that the Indian cricketer’s fiancee Priya Saroj was reportedly involved in all this. Priya Saroj is an MP from Machhilishahr constituency of Uttar Pradesh and she represents Samajwadi Party.
Some TOI journalists added fuel to the fire by giving a cryptic hint pointing towards political pressure. The phrase he is openly discussing on social media is related to the Samajwadi Party, whose election symbol is the bicycle.
Interestingly, the same thing happened in the Asia Cup
And he was dropped after the Asia CupIf he was in the management’s plan then why was he dropped from the team after the Asia Cup pic.twitter.com/HDF9dOnRmq
– Sawai96 (@aspirant_9457) 27 December 2025
Rinku? Is there any truth in this? https://t.co/LJwkuW0Etd pic.twitter.com/iDEnLTi2X7
– $0€@££9 (@sportsfame1) 26 December 2025
Domino effect: How did Jitesh Sharma’s departure hurt Gill?
With the inclusion of Rinku Singh, wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma was directly dropped. With no specialist backup wicketkeeper, the team management struggled to rebalance the squad, necessitating the addition of wicketkeeping options elsewhere.
Also read: Rinku Singh accuses former KKR teammate of being a cheater and wooing fiancee Priya Saroj
The reshuffle is a tactical domino that ultimately fell on Shubman Gill as in-form opener and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan was recalled to the squad.
By the numbers: Rinku Singh vs Shubman Gill
Rinku boasts a better finishing strike rate, while Gill’s recent decline in form in T20Is has been cited as the public reason for his omission. The left-handed batsman has played 35 T20 matches so far and has scored 550 runs at an impressive average of 42.30 and a blazing strike rate of 161.76.
His current form is also fantastic, and he is currently captaining Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 and has already scored match-winning half-centuries and centuries.
Gill, on the other hand, failed to justify his T20I opportunities, and was under immense pressure due to his poor form in the format. The right-handed batsman has so far scored 869 runs in 36 matches at an average of 28.03 and a strike rate of 138.59.
