T20 World Cup 2024: Why was Shubman Gill not picked in India squad? Sunil Gavaskar reveals

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar shared insights on Shubman Gill's exclusion from India's primary squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Gavaskar believes that the Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper's inconsistent performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 might have influenced the decision.

However, Gill has been designated as one of the four reserves named in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to be held in the USA and West Indies on June 1.

Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar heaped praise on India's depth of talent, claiming that even the second-string team could potentially win the T20 World Cup, given their exceptional skills. He highlighted the intense competition for each position in the team, saying that players like Gill had to make way for others due to the high level of competition within the squad.

Sunil Gavaskar explains why Shubman Gill failed to get a place in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad

The former Indian skipper further highlighted that the country is blessed with rich talent, and that’s why the selectors have to make tough decisions, like leaving out Gill for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “Yes, that's the blessing that India has. They have got so many players. In fact, if you make a second team, that team will also be capable of lifting this Cup with a bit of luck going it's way. Sometimes, that happens. Sometimes, you have to leave a good player out. That's what seems to have happened with Shubman Gill.”

The legendary batter further noted that Gill's recent performances haven't been that impressive to be selected in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad. The youngster hasn't managed to score fifty or more in his last four matches for the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing IPL 2024. He has so far amassed 320 runs at an average of 35.56 and a strike rate of 140.97 this season.

Gavaskar signed off by saying, “I think the current form went against him. Again, perhaps, the form in the last few matches has been patchy. He started the IPL very well. His form in the last few matches has been patchy and that has cost Gujarat Titans victories. When Shubman Gill scores, Gujarat have been winning. When he hasn't been scoring, GT has not been winning.”

Did captaincy affect Shubman Gill's form?

Notably, many have been claiming that the pressure of leading GT may have affected Gill's batting form and focus. Captaining a team in a high-profile tournament like the IPL is demanding, requiring not only strategic acumen but also mental resilience to handle the expectations and pressure.

Under Gill’s captaincy, GT has been struggling to win matches consistently, as they have won only 4 games from their 10 outings in the ongoing IPL 2024 so far. The 7th-ranked Gujarat team will next face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 4.

India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad:

Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan