Shubman Gill quashes rumors of 'strained relations' with Rohit Sharma with cheeky Instagram story

Young Indian batter Shubman Gill dismissed rumors of a rift with skipper Rohit Sharma by sharing a picture with him on his Instagram story. Shubman Gill's post came amid reports the star batter has been released from the Indian cricket team in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 due to disciplinary reasons.

Shubman Gill failed to make it to India's 15-member squad for the World Cup 2024 matches against the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). However, Gill has traveled with the rest of the squad as a reserve. Shubman Gill and Avesh Khan will return to India before the Super 8 stages of the tournament.

Learning The Art Of Discipline From Rohit Sharma - Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill posted on his official Instagram account, sharing photos of himself with Rohit Sharma and Rohit's daughter, with the caption "Sammy and I learning the art of discipline from Rohit Sharma."

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The Rohit Sharma-led team registered three consecutive wins against Ireland, Pakistan, and the USA in the group stage. The Men in Blue qualified for the Super 8 phase from Group A. The Indian team's final group stage match against Canada was abandoned due to a wet outfield in Florida on Saturday, June 15.

Shubman Gill has not been added to the main squad, as there have been no injuries necessitating his inclusion. The India national cricket team already has backup options, with opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal on the bench. Middle-order batter Rinku Singh is among the reserves with the Indian team.

This Was Always The Plan - Vikram Rathour

Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour addressed rumors of disciplinary action regarding Shubman Gill's departure. Rathour said that two reserve players will return home after the group stage. He emphasized that this decision was made before the tournament began.

“This was always the plan. Four reserve players would accompany the team to the US, and then two would return home after the group stage. This was decided before the tournament even began,” Rathour stated at a press conference.

“We would have loved to play. But the risk of injuries due to the wet outfield couldn’t be ignored, especially heading into the crucial Super 8 matches,” he added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had picked four players among the traveling reserves. With Shubman Gill and Avesh Khan returning home, India will have Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed available as options for any necessary squad changes in the upcoming matches of the World Cup.

The Men in Blue will face Afghanistan at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, on Thursday, June 20. The Indian team will lock horns with Australia at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia on June 24. They still await the remaining opponent for the match scheduled for June 22 in Antigua.

Also read: "Can't blame the Pakistan players" - Rashid Latif defends Babar Azam's team despite poor outings in T20 World Cup 2024