Shubman Gill BLOCKED from captaincy after India's T20 World Cup 2026 victory

Former Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra has stated that Shubman Gill cannot become the T20I captain for the Men in Blue. The cricketer-turned-commentator made the comments after Team India secured a 96-run victory over New Zealand in Ahmedabad on March 8 to lift the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy.

The young batter was appointed as India's T20I vice-captain a few months before the Asia Cup 2025. However, the management left him out of the squad for the T20 World Cup. The selectors backed Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan at the top order, which proved crucial for the hosts to secure the trophy.

He Can’t Get the T20I Captaincy - Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill

Aakash Chopra answered fan questions on his official YouTube channel. He stated that having one single captain across all three international formats is unlikely for the Indian team. Chopra added that it will be difficult for Shubman Gill to make a comeback in the T20I side.

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“It’s going to be difficult, although the Indian team thought that it would become easier if there were one captain for all three formats. However, it won’t happen at all,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"I feel we won’t be able to do that because he is the Test and ODI captain, but he can’t get the T20I captaincy. At this moment, even his name coming is difficult because of the way the Indian team has been playing, especially the last four games,” he added.

We Shouldn't Lose The Test Batter - Aakash Chopra

The veteran commentator said that the Indian team does not need an anchor. Chopra warned that Gill should absolutely not ruin his natural technique just to desperately force his way back into the shortest format of the game.

"When are you talking about 250, and that too in a World Cup, then you don't think you need an anchor. Gill can adapt and change, but we shouldn't lose Shubman Gill, the Test batter, in trying to find that, and lose the Shubman Gill who can become an absolute giant in ODIs. I think it's going to be difficult for Shubman Gill," he observed.

Shubman Gill to Lead Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026

The right-handed batter will return to action during the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign. The highly anticipated tournament is scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 28. Gill will lead the Gujarat Titans (GT) franchise in the upcoming season.

The skipper will definitely want to perform exceptionally well this season to reclaim his lost position in the Indian T20I squad. During the 2025 edition, he scored 650 runs in 15 games at an impressive average of 50.00, including six half-centuries.

Last year, the Gujarat Titans' campaign ended with a defeat against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator. The opening batter will look to lead from the front once again.

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