India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad announced on Saturday with a major surprise by dropping Shubman Gill while Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan returned and Axar Patel was named as Vice Captain.
India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement sparks debate after Shubman Gill’s omission (Photo: File)
India's T20 World Cup 2026: The Indian cricket team has been officially announced for the T20 World Cup that is scheduled to be held in the year 2026. The Indian cricket governing authority the BCCI, organized a press conference in the presence of the Indian cricket squad in Mumbai.
A major surprise, Shubman Gill has been left out of the India Cricket team picked for the T20 World Cup 2026. The selection indicates that the team management is less concerned with reputation and more with the immediacy of impact.
Rinku Singh returned after being benched for the series against the Proteas and Ishan Kishan rejoined the team after a two year absence. There are 7 players missing from the winning team in 2024.
Suryakumar Yadav will continue as India's T20 captain, reinforcing the trust placed in his instinctive leadership and fearless batting style. His understanding of modern T20 demands has made him the preferred choice to guide the side.
Axar Patel has been made the vice-captain a role that has been awarded for his consistency, versatility and tactically astute cricket, rather than just seniority.
Gill's omission seems more to do with recent events than long-term capability. Continuing fitness issues, not so great returns upon return and wicketkeeper-opener preference led to exclusion. The Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said the team management preferred a wicketkeeper opening the batting which led to Ishan Kishan being chosen over Gill to suit the overall combination.
The selectors have categorically walked in the direction of defined roles and form of late, underlining how unforgiving T20 cricket can be even to an established player.
