Ajit Agarkar clarifies the real reason behind Shubman Gill's snub from the Indian T20 World Cup squad

The Indian chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has stepped up and revealed the real reason behind Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill's snub from the ICC T20 World Cup, and it's not his poor form.

The Indian National Men's Selection Committee, headed by former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar, has announced India's final squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 as well as the upcoming series against New Zealand.

The team selections have marked some shocking inclusions, and on the other hand, some players who were most definitely for a T20I spot have missed out on the ICC T20 World Cup 15-member squad. The BCCI's selection committee is, however, allowed to make changes to it before the World Cup starts.

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Ajit Agarkar explains Shubman Gill's snub from the Indian team

Shubman Gill, the Indian Test and ODI skipper, was brought back into the T20I side and was also named the vice-captain ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. However, despite his return, Gill failed to impress the Indian fans as well as selectors with his performances over 15 matches.

However, when the Ajit Agarkar-led committee, which had previously acknowledged that Shubman would be cited as India's all-format captain, dropped him from the second consecutive T20 World Cup squad, Indian fans were left shocked.

However, Ajit Agarkar explained that his selection has not been blocked due to his poor form, but only because Shubman fails to fit in the combination of the Indian team. This thought might have come after Sanju Samson performed well when promoted back to the top of the order.

"Shubman not included for combination more than anything else," RevSportz quoted Ajit Agarkar.

Shubman not included for combination more than anything else: Agarkar

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) December 20, 2025

Ishan Kishan reaps the benefits of SMAT success

The left-handed wicket-keeper from Jharkhand, Ishan Kishan, is finally back with the Indian team. The wicket-keeper batsman replaced Jitesh Sharma in the Indian squad and will serve as a backup option for Sanju Samson.

Sanju Samson will once again be back as the frontline wicket-keeper and the opener of the Indian T20I side. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also revealed that they have not named any players on the standby, since the World Cup is in India itself, and if any injury occurs, all players will be ready to be brought in anytime.

Ishan Kishan has been named at the back of his splendid run for Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He led his state team to the domestic T20 title in 2025, just a week before the squad announcement.

Rinku Singh returns to the Indian team for the maiden World Cup campaign

Uttar Pradesh star batter Rinku Singh was snubbed of his spot in the Indian team, since head coach Gautam Gambhir felt that there was no place for finishers down the order, if they could not come in handy with the ball as well.

However, now Rinku is back, and he has rightly replaced the out-of-form Shubman Gill in the Indian team. Though Rinku might not be handed an immediate spot in the playing XI, since India's final XI looks settled and solid ahead of the World Cup.

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