Shocking! Ajit Agarkar rejected Gautam Gambhir’s demand and dropped Shubman Gill for T20 World Cup 2026
Published - 11 Mar 2026, 10:42 AM | Updated - 11 Mar 2026, 10:44 AM
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India’s historic victory in the T20 World Cup 2026 created a huge celebration across the country, and many praised the fearless approach of head coach Gautam Gambhir, who guided the team with strong planning and bold tactics. Amidst the celebration, a shocking story emerged from the Indian camp.
It is well known to all that the Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar made some of the toughest calls that helped the Men in Blue to script history on March 8. One of the biggest shocks came when Shubman Gill was left out of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad despite being the vice-captain in T20Is.
Gautam Gambhir wanted Shubman Gill, but Ajit Agarkar backed Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh
As reported by the Indian Express, the Indian cricket team management, headed by Gautam Gambhir, wanted Shubman Gill in the squad. However, Agarkar rejected Gautam Gambhir’s demand and refused to change his stance. Instead, the Indian selectors backed explosive players like Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh for the tournament.
Read Also: Former India World Cup winner says Sanju Samson has shades of Viv Richards
The move created massive debate because Gill had been one of India’s most talked-about young stars, and even though he was the vice-captain, his poor form in T20Is left the selectors disappointed. The selectors believed the team already had strong options, and someone had to make way.
Ajit Agarkar told the team management, as quoted by the Indian Express: “Your opinion could differ from mine. We still think he's a quality player. Someone has to miss out, and it's him—not because he isn't good enough. Fortunately, Indian cricket has options.”
Gautam Gambhir shares the turning point in the T20 World Cup 2026
Meanwhile, India’s dream run in the T20 World Cup 2026 had many special moments, but Gambhir shared one powerful innings that changed the entire story of the tournament. The team lifted the trophy after crushing New Zealand in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.
Gambhir said that the wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson’s stunning knock of 97 runs against the West Indies was the turning point of the match. The Men in Blue were under serious pressure during that chase, and the match looked very tricky. But Samson stayed calm at the crease and controlled the innings with smart shots and clear thinking and helped India reach the semifinals.
'It gave us a lot of confidence' - Gautam Gambhir
The head coach added, “It’s very difficult to say, but I still believe that Sanju’s 97 against the West Indies was the turning point of this campaign. With the ease and calmness with which he batted, it gave us a lot of confidence in the group that now we were probably on the right track. When Sanju got going and the way Ishan Kishan batted at number three, a lot of things actually started taking shape.”
Gambhir said that one memory from the tournament will stay with him forever, and that is the way the Indian players easily accepted different batting positions for the team’s benefit.
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