India’s selection panel has taken a bold, strategic decision by leaving Shubman Gill out of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 squadPreferring explosive starts and late innings flexibility over a traditional top-order anchor.
Why is Shubman Gill not in India’s T20 World Cup team?
According to officials, the decision was inspired by form trends and the specific template the team wants to implement in World Cup conditions.
The selectors believe that Gill’s recent T20 comeback and limited impact in the powerplay is not in line with the desired top-order balance. Instead, he preferred a structure built around two wicketkeeper-openers and an additional finisher – an approach that aimed to maximize scoring in the first six overs while preserving depth for the death.
Current form and powerplay output proves costly for Gill
Gill has been dropped from the team after poor performance for a long time in T-20. He has not scored a half-century in 18 innings and has struggled to generate consistent pace during the powerplay – an area where the selectors have clearly aimed for more aggression. The panel was of the view that World Cup matches required immediate pressure at the top, and India wanted batsmen who could change gears from the first ball.
selection chair Ajit Agarkar acknowledged Gill’s current struggles, noting that he was “There is a shortage of runs at the moment.” Gill’s recent home series against South Africa yielded scores of 4, 0 and 28, and then he missed the final two T20Is due to a minor niggle – factors that weighed heavily on the final call.
Two wicketkeeper-openers shape India’s top order
Crucial was India’s decision to back Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as wicketkeeper-batsmen, who can both open. The pairing gives the team the intent to quickly attack over the top while maintaining flexibility in match-ups and situations.
By including two keeper-openers, the selectors freed up a valuable spot elsewhere in the XI – one that can be used to increase finishing power without compromising balance.
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Additional finisher tips on the scales
The reorganized top order allowed India to accommodate Rinku Singh as a specialist finisher, a role the team considers essential in the high-pressure World Cup chase. With Rinku in the mix, India can attack from deep in the innings while still fielding all-round options like Washington Sundar and Axar Patel.
Agarkar emphasized the realities of team selection: “When you pick 15 someone has to miss,” adding that Gill was a “unfortunate” Loss of structure rather than judgment on talent alone.
Strategic pivot supported by former players
The BCCI and ICC summaries see Gill’s omission as a deliberate pivot towards power at the top and flexibility in the lower middle order. Former international players have echoed that view. Both R Ashwin and Sanjay Manjrekar have suggested that once Gill’s form dropped and minor injuries occurred, his omission from this particular World Cup squad was inevitable. “Mandatory” – A late but necessary recalibration.
Also read: Fans left shocked as BCCI drops Shubman Gill from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad