Real villain behind Shubman Gill's KKR exit OUT in public

India’s current Test captain and opener Shubman Gill’s shocking exit from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was not about numbers, but it was about a clash of mindsets with the then team management headed by the current England head coach Brendon McCullum.

Back in IPL 2021, with the Kolkata Knight Riders reeling from a humiliating loss to the Delhi Capitals in an empty stadium in Ahmedabad, the former head coach Brendon McCullum made it clear that the top order needed to change and fast to make a comeback.

Real reason behind Shubman Gill’s KKR exit finally revealed

While KKR’s struggles were obvious, the spotlight turned sharply toward the then-opening pair Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill. Gill’s slow 43 off 38 deliveries was heavily criticized by McCullum and others. McCullum had said after lossing to DC: "If you can't change a man, change the man."

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Now, insiders revealed that McCullum, alongside the former KKR captain Eoin Morgan, wanted fearless cricket, explosive shots, bold intent, and aggressive batting.

Despite his talent, the right-handed batter was seen as too conservative for that vision. It wasn’t just one poor knock, but it was Gill’s composed style and McCullum’s all-out attacking philosophy that played a major role behind his ouster from the Kolkata Knight Riders.

An insider recalled, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo, “There was a clear disconnect between the style of play the management wanted and what was being produced on the field in the first half of that season.”

Also Read: Shubman Gill starts blame game, criticizes 2 India seniors over DRS blunders

How Brendon McCullum’s bold vision forced Shubman Gill out of KKR

When the season resumed in the UAE, the KKR team management didn't make the drastic changes they hinted at but quietly restructured the batting order. Venkatesh Iyer, who matched McCullum’s aggressive brand of cricket perfectly, was promoted to the top order while Gill continued opening.

This change played a key role in KKR's resurgence, winning five of their last seven group matches but losing the final to Chennai Super Kings in 2021. And then, Gill suddenly found himself out of favor ahead of the 2022 IPL mega auction. With only four retention slots available, KKR locked in their power trio of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Venkatesh Iyer.

Before the IPL 2022 mega auction, the KKR head coach had admitted that it was disappointing to let go of Gill but said it was a tough call they had to make. McCullum had stated, “It was disappointing to lose Shubman Gill. But that's the way life is sometimes.”

Gujarat Titans changed Shubman Gill's life after KKR exit

Notably, after being overlooked by the KKR, Gill was signed by the new IPL team, Gujarat Titans, at the mega auction. Since then, the Punjab lad has transformed into a true IPL superstar. He helped the GT win the IPL title in 2022, claimed the Orange Cap in 2023, and was named captain in 2024.

At that time, a KKR official revealed Gill’s exit wasn’t due to any conflict but simply because they could only retain a limited number of players before the 2022 mega auction. Now, he is India’s Test captain and is currently leading the team from the front in England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Also Read: Shubman Gill in legal trouble, BCCI notice inevitable