Shubman Gill scored heavily for India in the red-ball series against England and later returned to the T20I squad during the Asia Cup 2025, where he was also named vice-captain. However, after his comeback, Gill struggled to make big scores in T20Is and did not reach a single half-century in the format. As a result, he was eventually left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad. Speaking on the ICC Review about Gill’s snub, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said that he was surprised by Gill’s exclusion from the team.&nbsp; &nbsp;“I couldn’t believe that. I mean, I know his recent form hasn’t been great in white-ball cricket. The last time that I really saw much of him play was the Test series against England in the UK, where he batted as well as I’ve ever seen anybody bat. I think, one, I’m surprised, but two, it just shows the depth of Indian cricket,” Ponting said on ICC Review.&nbsp;“If you can think that someone as good as Shubman Gill doesn’t get picked in a World Cup squad, then it goes to show how many good players they do have,” he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/desert-vipers-vs-mi-emirates-ilt20-final-when-and-where-to-watch-match-live-streaming-in-india-1767522151727">Vipers vs Emirates, ILT20 Final: When and where to watch match live streaming?</a>&nbsp;Since his return during the Asia Cup, Gill has played 15 T20I innings and scored 291 runs at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26. His highest score was 47, which came against Pakistan in Dubai on Sep 21 last year.&nbsp;<h2>What selectors said</h2>The selectors cited that the team balance was the main reason behind the decision, as Gill’s recent T20I performances have failed to strengthen his case for selection.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that Gill is a high-quality player but has been short of runs at the moment. He added that different team combinations were chosen for the World Cup and when only 15 players can be picked, someone has to miss out. Unfortunately, Gill was the one left out this time.&nbsp;“We know what a quality player he is, but, perhaps short of a little bit of runs at the moment. It’s unfortunate to have missed out in the last World Cup as well because we went with different combinations. But it’s the combinations more than anything else…Someone has to miss out when you pick 15 and unfortunately, it’s Gill at this point,” said Ajit Agarkar in the press conference for India’s squad announcement for the T20 World Cup.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Check - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-top-5-indian-batters-with-most-odi-runs-against-new-zealand-sachin-tendulkar-virat-kohli-virender-sehwag-mohammad-azharuddin-sourav-ganguly-1767435459535">Meet top 5 Indian batters with most ODI runs against New Zealand</a>&nbsp;Gill will now look to start afresh in 2026 and will aim to perform well in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on Jan 11.

Gill will now look to start afresh in 2026 and aim to perform well in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on Jan 11.

Shubman Gill scored heavily for India in the red-ball series against England and later returned to the T20I squad during the Asia Cup 2025, where he was also named vice-captain. However, after his comeback, Gill struggled to make big scores in T20Is and did not reach a single half-century in the format. As a result, he was eventually left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad. Speaking on the ICC Review about Gill’s snub, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said that he was surprised by Gill’s exclusion from the team. “I couldn’t believe that. I mean, I know his recent form hasn’t been great in white-ball cricket. The last time that I really saw much of him play was the Test series against England in the UK, where he batted as well as I’ve ever seen anybody bat. I think, one, I’m surprised, but two, it just shows the depth of Indian cricket,” Ponting said on ICC Review. “If you can think that someone as good as Shubman Gill doesn’t get picked in a World Cup squad, then it goes to show how many good players they do have,” he added. Also Read - Vipers vs Emirates, ILT20 Final: When and where to watch match live streaming? Since his return during the Asia Cup, Gill has played 15 T20I innings and scored 291 runs at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26. His highest score was 47, which came against Pakistan in Dubai on Sep 21 last year. What selectors said The selectors cited that the team balance was the main reason behind the decision, as Gill’s recent T20I performances have failed to strengthen his case for selection. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that Gill is a high-quality player but has been short of runs at the moment. He added that different team combinations were chosen for the World Cup and when only 15 players can be picked, someone has to miss out. Unfortunately, Gill was the one left out this time. “We know what a quality player he is, but, perhaps short of a little bit of runs at the moment. It’s unfortunate to have missed out in the last World Cup as well because we went with different combinations. But it’s the combinations more than anything else…Someone has to miss out when you pick 15 and unfortunately, it’s Gill at this point,” said Ajit Agarkar in the press conference for India’s squad announcement for the T20 World Cup. Also Check - Meet top 5 Indian batters with most ODI runs against New Zealand Gill will now look to start afresh in 2026 and will aim to perform well in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on Jan 11.

Gill will now look to start afresh in 2026 and aim to perform well in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on Jan 11.

'I couldn’t believe that...': Ricky Ponting on Shubman Gill being left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad

Former India cricket Sanjay Manjrekar has dropped Virat Kohli from his T20 World Cup squad which is scheduled to be played in June later this year. The former Indian batter, however, has retained Rohit Sharma as the opener and the skipper. Notably, Kohli is currently the highest run-getter in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season with 430 runs to his name

Kohli's runs, however, have come at a strike rate of 145, which is considered modest in T20 cricket. Manjrekar also included some surprise names in the squad.&nbsp;Among the players Manjrekar selected, Krunal Pandya comes as a shock member of the 15-man squad. The former India batter picked the team during a show on Star Sports.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nepal-will-give-best-treatment-sikandar-raza-slams-fans-take-on-wi-cricketers-loading-luggage-in-small-van-715143">'Nepal will give best treatment': Sikandar Raza slams fans' take on WI cricketers loading luggage in small van</a>

Here's Manjrekar's India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Krunal Pandya

Among the selected members, Manjrekar was especially full of praise for Kuldeep and said: "Yes. And this is perhaps Kuldeep Yadav at his peak with regards to his skills, his confidence. You can see now he's out there like a Bumrah or Chahal at his peak. He is commanding that kind of respect. He looks comfortable with the responsibility and champions, you know, those breaks and those moments that you are seeking at the right time."

Manjrekar's choices are somewhat unorthodox with Sanju Samson and KL Rahul both in the squad. Among the bowlers, the former cricketer has gone bold with KKR's Harshit Rana and Avesh Khan along with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

He also picked Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) speedster Mayank Yadav and Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant who made a comeback to the IPL this year following a horrific car crash in December 2022.

&nbsp;

Former India cricket Sanjay Manjrekar has dropped Virat Kohli from his T20 World Cup squad which is scheduled to be played in June later this year. The former Indian batter, however, has retained Rohit Sharma as the opener and the skipper.

Former India cricket Sanjay Manjrekar has dropped Virat Kohli from his T20 World Cup squad which is scheduled to be played in June later this year. The former Indian batter, however, has retained Rohit Sharma as the opener and the skipper. Notably, Kohli is currently the highest run-getter in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season with 430 runs to his name Kohli's runs, however, have come at a strike rate of 145, which is considered modest in T20 cricket. Manjrekar also included some surprise names in the squad. Among the players Manjrekar selected, Krunal Pandya comes as a shock member of the 15-man squad. The former India batter picked the team during a show on Star Sports. Also Read: 'Nepal will give best treatment': Sikandar Raza slams fans' take on WI cricketers loading luggage in small van Here's Manjrekar's India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Krunal Pandya Among the selected members, Manjrekar was especially full of praise for Kuldeep and said: "Yes. And this is perhaps Kuldeep Yadav at his peak with regards to his skills, his confidence. You can see now he's out there like a Bumrah or Chahal at his peak. He is commanding that kind of respect. He looks comfortable with the responsibility and champions, you know, those breaks and those moments that you are seeking at the right time." Manjrekar's choices are somewhat unorthodox with Sanju Samson and KL Rahul both in the squad. Among the bowlers, the former cricketer has gone bold with KKR's Harshit Rana and Avesh Khan along with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. He also picked Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) speedster Mayank Yadav and Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant who made a comeback to the IPL this year following a horrific car crash in December 2022.

Sanjay Manjrekar drops Virat Kohli, picks Krunal Pandya for India's T20 World Cup squad

Virat Kohli, the current skipper of the Indian cricket team has already announced that he will be stepping down from the captaincy after the conclusion of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which is underway in UAE and Oman.&nbsp;

Now, former Indian batter Suresh Raina said that Kohli deserves to draw the curtains on his T20 captaincy stint with the coveted trophy, adding that Kohli should get a befitting farewell from his teammates.&nbsp;

In a column for ICC, Raina wrote, "For India, the message at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is simple — do it for Virat Kohli. It will probably be his last time at this tournament as captain, so it's very important for him to make everyone believe we can do it and for us to get behind him."&nbsp;

"India fans can't wait for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 to start for this reason. We have the players, we have the momentum - we just need to go out there and execute now, he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-wc-shoaib-akhtar-chilling-with-sunil-gavaskar-kapil-dev-ahead-of-india-pakistan-clash-see-pics-421529">T20 WC: Shoaib Akhtar 'chilling' with Sunil Gavaskar &amp; Kapil Dev ahead of India-Pakistan clash - see pics</a>

Raina weighed in on the performance of the Indian team in the tournament, as he said that the key to India's success in the tournament lies in the performance of the top three batters.&nbsp;

"For me, the key to success for India's batting lies in the top three. Rohit Sharma is a gun player -- he has a brilliant record at ICC events in the past and had a great IPL. We need Rohit, KL Rahul and Virat to bat through to 15 overs and lay the platform. They can set the momentum for the India team by doing this," he said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/whats-the-point-of-playing-harbhajan-singh-takes-a-jibe-at-shoaib-akhtar-ahead-of-india-vs-pakistan-clash-421363">'What's the point of playing?': Harbhajan Singh takes a jibe at Shoaib Akhtar ahead of India vs Pakistan clash</a>

Raina also mentioned the middle batting order as he said, "There are lots of electric combinations in the middle order and obviously Rishabh Pant is going to play a key role there. Hardik Pandya is also very capable as a power hitter. But if the top three are still there at that stage of the innings, there is no target that India can't chase."&nbsp;

Raina is optimistic about India achieving something special in the tournament. "We have been waiting for this T20 World Cup for a long time. It has been a difficult two years but I think we're about to see something special in the UAE and Oman," he said.&nbsp;

Kohli-led team India will start their T20 World Cup campaign with a heavyweight clash against Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai. The match will kick start at 7:30pm IST.&nbsp;

Virat Kohli, the current skipper of the Indian cricket team has already announced that he will be stepping down from the captaincy after the conclusion of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which is underway in UAE and Oman.

Virat Kohli, the current skipper of the Indian cricket team has already announced that he will be stepping down from the captaincy after the conclusion of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which is underway in UAE and Oman. Now, former Indian batter Suresh Raina said that Kohli deserves to draw the curtains on his T20 captaincy stint with the coveted trophy, adding that Kohli should get a befitting farewell from his teammates. In a column for ICC, Raina wrote, "For India, the message at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is simple — do it for Virat Kohli. It will probably be his last time at this tournament as captain, so it's very important for him to make everyone believe we can do it and for us to get behind him." "India fans can't wait for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 to start for this reason. We have the players, we have the momentum - we just need to go out there and execute now, he added. ALSO READ | T20 WC: Shoaib Akhtar 'chilling' with Sunil Gavaskar & Kapil Dev ahead of India-Pakistan clash - see pics Raina weighed in on the performance of the Indian team in the tournament, as he said that the key to India's success in the tournament lies in the performance of the top three batters. "For me, the key to success for India's batting lies in the top three. Rohit Sharma is a gun player -- he has a brilliant record at ICC events in the past and had a great IPL. We need Rohit, KL Rahul and Virat to bat through to 15 overs and lay the platform. They can set the momentum for the India team by doing this," he said. ALSO READ | 'What's the point of playing?': Harbhajan Singh takes a jibe at Shoaib Akhtar ahead of India vs Pakistan clash Raina also mentioned the middle batting order as he said, "There are lots of electric combinations in the middle order and obviously Rishabh Pant is going to play a key role there. Hardik Pandya is also very capable as a power hitter. But if the top three are still there at that stage of the innings, there is no target that India can't chase." Raina is optimistic about India achieving something special in the tournament. "We have been waiting for this T20 World Cup for a long time. It has been a difficult two years but I think we're about to see something special in the UAE and Oman," he said. Kohli-led team India will start their T20 World Cup campaign with a heavyweight clash against Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai. The match will kick start at 7:30pm IST.

Suresh Raina's message to India's T20 World Cup squad, says 'do it for Virat Kohli'