Sunil Gavaskar surprised by Shubman Gill’s exclusion from T20 World Cup squad

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise at the omission of Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup squad, citing a possible lack of form and touch as reasons for the right-handed opener’s exclusion. Gill’s absence from the squad for the T20 World Cup and series against New Zealand became a major talking point following a press conference at the BCCI headquarters. Despite a strong performance post the 2024 T20 World Cup, Gill struggled to find his rhythm, managing a highest score of 47 in 15 innings. Gavaskar emphasized Gill’s quality as a batter and highlighted that while he may have faced challenges, his talent remains intact. The former cricketer noted that T20 cricket demands a different approach compared to Test cricket, where Gill excels, and suggested that the lack of form and touch may have worked against him in the selection process.
In Gill’s place, Axar Patel was appointed as India’s vice-captain, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar explaining that the team management preferred a wicketkeeper to open the innings. This decision paved the way for Ishan Kishan’s return to the India T20I team after a hiatus since November 2023. Kishan’s impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 517 runs in 10 innings and led Jharkhand to victory, earned him a spot in the team based on his domestic cricket form. Gavaskar commended Kishan’s comeback and stressed the importance of domestic cricket performances in the selection process.
The article also highlighted the exclusion of Jitesh Sharma from the team, with Rinku Singh being included to strengthen the middle-order batting. Gavaskar expressed empathy for Sharma, acknowledging his skills as a wicketkeeper and his contributions behind the stumps. Despite the setback, Gavaskar encouraged Sharma to continue performing well in domestic cricket for future opportunities.