As India defended their T20 World Cup title with a nervy win over the USA in Mumbai, their Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill was 4,000 miles away in Paris watching Manchester United dismantle Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand shared a photo on X with Gill, revealing the Indian star was on the sidelines during the Red Devils’ 2-0 win. The timing raised eyebrows: United’s game started just an hour before India’s World Cup kick-off at the Wankhede Stadium, leaving fans baffled as to why one of the country’s leading batsmen was watching football instead of supporting his team-mates.
WHY SHUBMAN GILL NOT PLAY FOR INDIA?
For those wondering why India’s Test and ODI captain did not participate in the T20 World Cup, the answer lies in form and selection priorities.
Despite captaining India in all three formats since his appointment in May 2025, Gill has struggled in T20 cricket in recent times. Slim patch during Asia Cup and T20I series against South Africa he urged the selectors to look elsewhere. Instead, aggressive batsman Ishan Kishan got the nod, offering India the explosive starts they need in the shortest format.
It’s a pragmatic decision that highlights India’s depth – even established stars have to carve out their place in a competitive team.
HOW DID INDIA FAR AGAINST USA IN WORLD FAIR T20 2026?
India’s title defense got off to a shaky start in front of the skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s heroics saved 29 runs over the United States at a packed Wankhede Stadium.
The defending champions suffered a stunning collapse, slumping to 77-6 in the 13th over as South African-born seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk tore through India’s vaunted line-up with figures of 4-25. What looked like a potential disaster turned into a masterclass as Suryakumar produced an unbeaten 84 off just 49 balls – his innings of 10 fours and four sixes showcasing the counter-attacking brilliance that makes him one of T20 cricket’s most dangerous batsmen.
His effort took India to 161-9, which proved to be quite enough. USA’s chase never got going after Mohammed Siraj, who replaced the indisposed Jasprit Bumrah, reduced them to 13-3 with some menacing new-ball bowling that took 3-29. Despite spirited contributions from
Milind Kumar (34), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) and Shubham Ranjane (37), Indian spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel squeezed the life out of the middle overs.
USA finished on 132-8, giving India a winning start – but the defending champions know they will need significant improvements to retain their crown.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MANCHESTER UNITED GAME
As Gill watched from Paris, Manchester United continued their remarkable revival under caretaker manager Michael Carrick with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Goals from Bryan Mbeum and captain Bruno Fernandes sealed United’s fourth successive Premier League win – their first in two years. Cristian Romero’s 29th-minute red card helped the result significantly, after which Spurs struggled with 10 men for over an hour.
Carrick’s appointment last month after the sacking of Ruben Amorim turned United’s season around. The club legend has guided them to fourth place with 44 points – already surpassing last year’s total of 42 points and reigniting hopes of Champions League qualification that seemed dead just a few weeks ago.
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Fernandes’ goal marked his 200th goal involvement since joining in 2020, with the Portuguese midfielder praising Carrick’s impact.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Arsenal extended their lead to nine points with a 3-0 demolition of Sunderland, while Cole Palmer’s hat-trick inspired Chelsea to a 3-1 win over Wolves.
It was clearly an afternoon well spent for Gill – although Indian cricket fans might have preferred their captain-in-waiting to be closer to home.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 8, 2026