BCCI wanted Shubman Gill to be India’s Virat Kohli in T20Is, but batting failures led to his axing

Team management confusion played a big part in Shubman Gill’s shock exclusion from the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. According to a report by The Times of India, the BCCI had a plan and backed the opening batter, but when runs did not come, the selection committee decided to drop him.

India selectors had shown faith in Gill by naming him T20I vice-captain and giving him a long run at the top of the order. He opened the innings ahead of Sanju Samson, who had done well in the role. However, the 26-year-old could not make the most of his chances and failed to lock down the opening spot.

Shubman Gill’s Omission Sparks Debate Over Role Clarity

Shubman Gill’s omission quickly became the biggest talking point. The decision surprised many because the Board of Control for Cricket in India had earlier given clear signs that Gill was part of their long-term leadership plans. He had been seen as a future leader in the shortest format.

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The 26-year-old has already led India in ODIs and Tests. A report in The Times of India revealed that confusion over Gill’s role in the batting order affected his form and played a major role in his exclusion.

Gill has scored more than 400 runs at a decent strike rate in each of the last six IPL seasons. His standout season came in 2023, when he scored 890 runs to win the Orange Cap. He also impressed in IPL 2025, scoring 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.88 while leading the Gujarat Titans.

Shubman Gill Backed as Long-Term Leader Before IPL

The report revealed that the selectors had picked Shubman Gill as a future leader across all formats even before the last IPL. The Board of Control for Cricket in India included him in their leadership plans.

This plan was also shared with Sanju Samson, who batted lower than his preferred position for the Rajasthan Royals, as Gill was given priority at the top.

Gill was even assured a place in the playing XI despite missing the 2024 T20 World Cup squad. The selectors wanted to back him strongly. He was expected to anchor the innings, much like Virat Kohli had done in the previous T20 World Cup, while allowing the other batters to attack freely.

Shubman Gill Loses Backing After Failing to Balance Attack and Stability

Shubman Gill lost the team management’s trust after he failed to balance big hitting with steady batting. A source told The Times of India that his approach did not work for the team.

After his return, Gill scored only 291 runs in 15 innings and did not hit a single fifty. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also struggled for runs, which put extra pressure on the rest of the batters and forced the bowlers to do more work.

“Gill was stuck in a place where he probably felt the pressure to go big at the top. The whole idea behind the revamped T20I setup was to keep the opposition under constant pressure with a high run-rate. Gill got caught in between. He couldn’t quite balance power with stability,” the source said.

“With both Suryakumar and Gill woefully out of form, the other batters couldn’t play with freedom and the strike rate suffered,” the source added.

Also read: One Player Who Will Define India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Campaign