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Shubman Gill’s exclusion was one of the highlights from India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The Punjab batter was named captain of India’s T20 team ahead of the Asia Cup in September last year. However, after dismal performances with the bat in the eight-team tournament and the subsequent bilateral series against Australia and South Africa, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee decided to show him the door.
Former India pacer Yograj Singh slammed the selectors for dropping Shubman. The 67-year-old said that a lot of cricketers get ample opportunities to play for the country even after performing well in only a handful of matches. He asked whether the selectors would think about dropping Abhishek Sharma, who is the top-ranked batter in T20Is, if he fails to perform in some matches.
“Shubman Gill is a vice-captain. What is the reason behind dropping him? Just because he failed in 4-5 innings? Indian cricket has had so many players who have barely managed to perform in 10 matches out of 100 opportunities. They still played; you already know the reason why. Young Abhishek Sharma arrived a couple of years ago. If he fails four innings will you drop him as well? Yograj asked on the Ravi Bisht YouTube channel (via India Today).
To accentuate his point, Yograj gave an example of the legendary Kapil Dev, recalling that the all-rounder was backed by then-captain Bishan Singh Bedi despite going through a lean patch. Kapil went on to become one of the finest seam-bowling all-rounders in world cricket.
“Let me give you an example of the ‘great’ Kapil Dev. When we toured Pakistan with Bishan Singh Bedi as captain, Kapil Dev continued to play matches despite failing with bat and ball. But Bishan Singh Bedi still took him on the subsequent tour of England,” said Yograj (via the aforementioned source).
Shubman will look to move on from the setback in the shortest format and focus on leading India in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which starts on January 11.
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