Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin did not seem surprised at Shubman Gill’s omission from the Indian team; According to legend, this was the right thing to do because if a backfire occurred the combinations and strategies would change.
After the announcement of the Indian 15-man squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, many Indian legends and former cricketers seemed surprised by the exclusion of Shubman Gill from the team despite his poor form.
Shubman returned to the Indian team before the Asia Cup and played 15 matches for India, scoring 291 runs in these games at a strike rate of around 137 and an average of around 20.
Ravichandran Ashwin not surprised by Shubman Gill’s omission
Following the rejection, contrary to the natural reactions of most cricket fans and experts, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that he was not surprised by Shubman Gill’s omission, and that he could have seen it happening.
Ravichandran Ashwin did not mince his words as he clearly said that the Indian youngster had received adequate support from the selectors as well as the national team coach, he was even handed the vice-captaincy in the T20I squad, but he could not live up to the high expectations.
“Apparently, a lot of support was given to Shubman Gill,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. matter of luxury,
Ashwin said, “The selectors showed a lot of confidence because he was appointed vice-captain straight away. Right now, it has become very, very clear what a very, very good combination looks like. I believe that feedback should have come from the Indian team management as well.”
Ravichandran Ashwin said, “India changed their style of play inside the powerplay.”
Shubman Gill had clearly failed to fit into the ultra-aggressive model at the top of the order, and this affected his numbers over time, despite him being supported for a long period. Ashwin said that Gill could not successfully fit into that model, which displeased Rohit Sharma.
Ravichandran Ashwin said, “We have to remember that India have changed their style of play inside the powerplay. Rohit (Sharma) showed it in the last World Cup. And that is the style he wanted to continue. And Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma reflect that particular path and pattern of play.”
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 in 2024. Both of them struck at around 147, but where Gill lacked was the conversion rate compared to Sanju Samson.
“I have said earlier also that the combination and formula will change” – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin reminded everyone of his claims made in the past, as he had always supported the idea of trying different combinations until India settle with one. Ashwin also feels that Samson should be given a fair chance and Gill got what he deserved.
“Actually, it is irrelevant. I have said before that the combination and the formula will change. And that is what has happened. I am not surprised. Because I think that is the way it was going, and we also talked about that if he is available then you should give him the next two T20s.”
Ravichandran Ashwin said, “Unfortunately, Shubman got injured, and the way he got injured and Sanju came into the team, it was just a formality.”
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