Former India national cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a bold claim on T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill’s position in the squad ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Ravichandran Ashwin said there will be a ‘big change’ in the starting combination of the India national cricket team as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 approaches.
It is important to recognize that Jaiswal has done everything necessary – Ravichandran Ashwin
Currently, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill are the opening batsmen of the Indian T20I team. Left-handed batsman Abhishek Sharma has been consistently performing well for the team and has secured his place at the top.
Abhishek is the No. 1 batsman in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, and has scored the most rating points by any batsman in history. He has also become the fastest batsman to score 1000 runs in T20I cricket.
On one hand, Abhishek is continuously giving explosive starts to India, while on the other hand, his opening partner Shubman Gill is struggling.
Shubman Gill returns to the T20I setup ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 and replaces Sanju Samson at the top. Since then he has been opening regularly, but has not been able to score a half-century yet.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin has emphasized on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s selection in the T20 squad and feels that he has done everything to be selected.
“I don’t think there is any connection between Test and T20I. One should keep these formats separate. It is important to recognize that Jaiswal has done everything required. He cannot come into the T20I team by scoring more Test runs. He has done a lot. He is striking close to 160, which is more than the power play. His average is also quite good,” Ashwin said on his channel ‘Aish Ki Baat’.
Abhishek Sharma and Jaiswal are the most aggressive openers – Shubhman Gill
Ravichandran Ashwin further said that Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are currently India’s most aggressive openers and termed Ruturaj Gaikwad as competitive as Shubman Gill.
He said, “Abhishek Sharma and Jaiswal are the most aggressive openers in India at the moment. If you want to send two aggressive openers, these two are suitable for you. I think if they want a little fire and ice, that is the balance the Indian team is striking. Abhishek is fire and ice can be found in Shubman.”
“If you want that kind of combination, Ruturaj Gaikwad is an equal rival to Shubman Gill,” Ashwin said.
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Not a small change, a big change, but I think others will get opportunities – Ravichandran Ashwin
Finally, Ravichandran Ashwin made a big claim saying that India will field a different opening combination in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, in which Abhishek Sharma will have a different partner.
“I think in the T20 series, as we get closer to the World Cup, we will see different opening combinations. I think we will make a small change. Not a small change, a big change, but I think others will get opportunities,” Ashwin said.