Shubman Gill set to lose T20I opening spot as 'big change' looms before 2026 World Cup

Former India National Cricket Team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a bold claim on the T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill's position in the side ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Ravichandran Ashwin said that there will be a 'big change' in the opening combination of the India National Cricket Team as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 nears.

It is essential to recognise that Jaiswal has done everything necessary - Ravichandran Ashwin

Currently, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill are the openers of the Indian T20I team. The left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma has been a consistent performer for the side and has booked a place at the top.

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Abhishek is the No.1 batsman in the ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings, and he has achieved the highest-ever rating points by a batsman in history. He has also become the fastest batter to score 1000 runs in T20I cricket.

On one hand, Abhishek has been providing India with explosive starts on a consistent basis, on the other hand, his opening partner, Shubman Gill, has been struggling.

Shubman Gill returned to the T20I setup ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 and replaced Sanju Samson at the top. Since then, he has been regularly opening, but is yet to score a half-century.

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin has pushed for the selection of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the T20I team and feels he has done everything to get picked.

“I don't think there is any connection between Tests and T20Is. One should keep these formats separate. It is essential to recognise that Jaiswal has done everything necessary. He cannot come into the T20I side by scoring more Test runs. He has done enough. He is striking close to 160, which is higher than that in the power play. He is averaging quite well, too,” said Ashwin on his channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.

Abhishek Sharma and Jaiswal are the most aggressive openers - Shubman Gill

Ravichandran Ashwin further said that Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the most aggressive openers in India currently and labelled Ruturaj Gaikwad as an equal competitor of Shubman Gill.

“Abhishek Sharma and Jaiswal are the most aggressive openers in India at this point in India. If you want to send two aggressive openers, then these two are your guys. I think that if they want a bit of fire and ice, this is what the Indian team is balancing. Abhishek is fire and ice can be found in Shubman,” he added.

“If you want that sort of combination, then Shubman Gill's equal competitor is Ruturaj Gaikwad,” said Ashwin.

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Not a small change, a big one, but I think the others will get opportunities - Ravichandran Ashwin

In the end, Ravichandran Ashwin made a colossal claim, saying that India will field a different opening combination in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, with Abhishek Sharma having a different partner.

“I think the T20I series, as we grow closer to the World Cup, we will see different opening combinations. I have a feeling that we will have a small change. Not a small change, a big one, but I think the others will get opportunities,” said Ashwin.