Rinku Singh on the left and Shubman Gill on the right. (FILE photo)
One of the notable omissions in the T20 World Cup squad 2026 announced on Saturday was Shubman Gill. The Indian red-ball skipper was drafted into the T20I side during the Asia Cup in place of Sanju Samson, who was going through a purple patch as an opener in the format. As a result of drafting Gill into the side, Samson was pushed down the order, and Gill, who was made to open, could not make a telling contribution in 15 outings. And Samson in the middle order, too, had a rough time.
However, for the World Cup, amidst a poor run of form, Gill was axed, and Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan were brought in and it is likely that Samson will return to open. Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan lauded the selection of Rinku Singh and even went on to say he will have Rinku over Gill in the team.
“I think this is well done. I think it’s a brilliant selection, and hence, I say that Rinku Singh is back because he is the kind of player we have to invest in. He is a fearless guy. He has won us matches. He is that kind of guy. I would rather have him than Gill in the current situation,” Wassan said.
Wassan was also confident about Ishan’s selection in the squad. “Wonderful. I think the guy is back from the wilderness, and I don’t know what’s been transpiring in the West Indies since he was dumped. This happens in Indian cricket. You know, a lot of noise, and if somebody is seen as cocky, maybe he is not because he is a kind of different man, and we have to respect that,” said Wassan
“He is a good player, but he had to go back, perform, and bulldoze his way back. Well done, and I am really impressed, and he is the guy who is going to be our match-winner.”