Shubman Gill Shocked: Selectors Call to Drop Him from T20 World Cup Squad

• Shubman Gill was excluded from the 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, informed by selectors via phone before the official announcement.
• The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, Captain Suryakumar Yadav, and Coach Gautam Gambhir, prioritized team combination over Gill's individual quality.
• Key reasons for exclusion include poor form (no T20 half-century in 18 innings after July 2024) and a lower strike rate (137) compared to aggressive openers.
• The management preferred wicket-keeper openers like Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan for better team balance and aggressive power-play batting.
• Gill's exclusion is seen as a major setback, especially as he captains India in other formats; Axar Patel was named vice-captain in his absence.

Why It Matters: Shubman Gill dropped from 2026 T20 World Cup squad due to form, strike rate, and team balance priorities.