The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dropped Shubman Gill from the T20I format despite appointing him captain for the other two formats of the game. The decision to drop Gill from the T20 International format was considered a bold statement by the national team selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar.
BCCI might have taken an important decision to find the best possible playing combination for this format, but for Gill, it could have hurt his pride. Former India cricketer, now cricket expert and commentator, Cheteshwar Pujara believes that Gill could be on a different level as a batsman in the upcoming IPL 2026, starting from March 28.
BCCI drops Shubman Gill from T20 before T20 World Cup 2026
Shubman Gill last played a T20 match for India against South Africa in Dharamsala on December 14, 2025. As the board appointed him for the Test and ODI formats, fans were hoping to see him in the T20Is as well. Proving most of the fans wrong, BCCI won the T20 World Cup 2026 without a top-order batsman.
While Gill’s batting reliability is beyond questions, it was the strike rate that was considered one of the main reasons behind his exclusion from the format. If he wants to make a comeback in the T20 team again, then IPL 2026 could be the best platform for him.
Ignoring T20 World Cup squad will definitely excite Shubman Gill: Shubman Gill
Pujara believes that there should be a strong reaction when Shubman takes the field to play IPL 2026 with Gujarat Titans. The former cricketer said that if the batsman performs strongly then he will definitely get a place in the T20 team again.
“Not getting a place in the T20 World Cup squad will definitely energize Shubman Gill. He is a quality player who is suitable for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will definitely put his name in India’s T20 squad.”
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan – Know Your Team’ show, Cheteshwar Pujara said, “He is leading the Test team and is also the ODI captain. He is a multi-format player. If he has a good season, he will be back in the plans for the Indian team.”
Pujara asked Gill to increase the strike rate
Pujara suggested Gibat with a little more intent. Pujara said, if he can score a significant amount of runs under pressure, while maintaining a strike rate around 160, then the selectors will bring him back into the T20 squad.
“There will be some pressure on him because he has not been a part of the Indian team in the shortest format. But at the same time, it is a great opportunity for him to continue batting in the same manner.”
“He needs to try to get a little more pace as he is working on it. This IPL season is perfect for him to show that he can bat at a strike rate of 150 to 160,” Pujara said.
Read more: “Tu karlega..”: Shubman Gill supports Abhishek Sharma after ‘three ducks’ during T20 World Cup 2026