India's Shubman Gill reacts after bowled out by South Africa's Marco Jansen during the third T20 cricket match between India and South Africa in Dharamshala, India, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar stressed on fielding the right combinations for the upcoming T20 World Cup and acknowledged former T20I vice captain Shubman Gill’s lack of runs which led to his omission from the World Cup squad. Gill was appointed the deputy of skipper Suryakumar Yadav ahead of September’s Asia Cup but hasn’t fired with the bat. In the recently concluded South Africa series, he made 4, 0 and 28 before missing the fifth match because of an injury.
“We know what a quality player he is, but, perhaps short of a little bit of runs at the moment. It’s unfortunate to have missed out in the last World Cup as well because we went with different combinations. But it’s the combinations more than anything else…Someone has to miss out when you pick 15 and unfortunately, it’s Gill at this point,” said Agarkar in the press conference for India’s squad announcement on Saturday.
“We are looking at the combination. If the keeper is going to bat at the top, at the moment Jitesh is there and he has not done too much wrong. But we need to look at the combination and a keeper at the top,” said the former India pacer.
Captain Surya too hinted at the necessity of combination as the reason behind Gills’ omission.
“Post T20 WC (2024) we went to Sri Lanka and we had scored 200 and Gill was part of it. We wanted to have a keeper at the top and Rinku or Washy (down the order), which is why we have an extra keeper at the top. There is no question of (Gill’s) form,” said Suryakumar.
Suryakumar also did not read too much into his extended lean phase, and expressed confidence of rediscovering his explosive self well in time for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Suryakumar has not fired this whole year in T20s, averaging close to a paltry 15 and his form has been a talking point ahead of next year’s ICC showpiece, where India will be looking to defend its title, starting February 7.
“I know what to do and I will do it. You will definitely see Surya the batter but this phase has lasted a little longer. Other players have also bounced back in form in the past,” he said.
Curated by James Chen
