Shubman Gill’s omission from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 plans has shocked former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who admitted he was caught off guard. In an interview on the ICC Review, Ponting said that the call was not just about form but also highlighted the depth that Indian cricket currently has.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Ponting said. “I know his recent form hasn’t been great in white-ball cricket, but the last time I really saw him play was in the Test series against England in Great Britain, where he batted as well as I’ve ever seen anyone bat.”
Ponting added that while he was surprised by the decision, it underlined how competitive selection has become in India. “If someone as good as Shubman Gill is not selected in the World Cup squad, it will show how many quality players he has.
Ever since he made his to return to the T20I side during the Asia Cup, Gill went on to bat in 15 innings, scoring 291 runs at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26. He was unable to get a fifty or a hundred during this period and his highest score was 47 which he scored on September 21 last year in Dubai against Pakistan.
CHOICE GUIDED BY EQUILIBRIUM
The selectors believed that he needed to focus more on the balance of the team and Gill’s recent numbers in T20Is did nothing to strengthen his case.
Chief voter Ajit Agarkar sought to clarify the thinking behind the decisionemphasizing that team balance trumps individual credentials. “There is no doubt about Shubman’s qualities,” Agarkar said during a press conference after the team announcement.
“He may not have scored as many runs recently, but that doesn’t change how highly we rate him,” he added.
Agarkar added that the selection was driven by combination, particularly the preference to have two wicketkeepers at the top of the order. “It’s more about team balance than individual ability,” he said, suggesting Gill remains firmly in the selectors’ long-term plans despite the World Cup snub.
Gill will be looking to make a statement as he prepares for a fresh start in 2026, with a three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting on January 11. As captain, he is looking to start the year on a high and prove why he is the next batsman in Indian cricket.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
January 4, 2026
