Shubman Gill was left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad due to combination compulsions and his recent lack of runs, according to chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Gill, who was just named vice-captain of the national T20 team, struggled in the recent home series against South Africa, scoring just 4, 0, and 28 before missing the fifth game due to an injury.
“We know what a quality player he is, but perhaps short of a little bit of runs at the moment,” said Agarkar at the press conference for India’s squad announcement in Mumbai on Saturday.
“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,” he added.
Agarkar emphasized that they had to give up a pure batter in order to have an extra keeper at the top. As a result, Jitesh Sharma, who has been utilized more as a lower-order fast batter, lost favor to Ishan Kishan, who had an incredible run at the just concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
“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.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav also alluded to the need for combination as the explanation for Gills’ exclusion.
“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.
Additionally, Suryakumar expressed confidence that he would recover his explosive self well in time for the forthcoming T20 World Cup and did not read too much into his prolonged lean spell.
His form is a talking point ahead of next year’s ICC showpiece, where India will be looking to defend its championship, which begins on February 7. He hasn’t fired in T20s this entire year, averaging nearly a pitiful 15.
“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.
The 35-year-old acknowledged that participating in a home World Cup could be difficult, but he finds it enjoyable.
“It’s a good responsibility and challenge for me to play in front of the home crowd. The squad looks balanced and we have filled in the positions well. We already have 2-3 combinations ready when we see the squad,” he added.
