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Shubman Gill reacts to shocking T20 World Cup 2026 snub ahead of IND vs NZ 1st ODI

Jatin

Shubman Gill was excluded from India's T20 WC squad [Source: @ImTanujSingh/x.com]Shubman Gill was excluded from India's T20 WC squad [Source: @ImTanujSingh/x.com]

When the T20 World Cup squad dropped, one name missing sent shockwaves through Indian cricket circles: Shubman Gill. India’s Test and ODI captain, a player who was in the thick of things, suddenly found himself on the outside looking in.

And now, Gill has finally spoken on his omission from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The 26-year-old chose calm over controversy, keeping his response measured and mature, even as debates raged around his omission.

Shubman Gill shows maturity after missing out on India’s T20 World Cup squad

Asked about the snub ahead of the IND vs NZ 1st ODI, Shubman Gill was quite calm in his response.

“Never easy to sit out injured. I respect the selectors' decision. All the best to the team for the T20 World Cup. As sportspersons we have to stay at the present. It makes our life a lot simpler,” Gill told reporters.

It is worth mentioning that Gill’s exclusion caught almost everyone off guard. Despite being part of India’s T20I plans and even serving as vice-captain during the Asia Cup 2025, the selectors decided to draw a hard line ahead of the World Cup.

The numbers didn’t help his case. In 15 T20Is last year, Gill managed 219 runs at an average just over 24 with a strike rate of 137. No half-centuries. For a format where impact matters more than reputation, that proved costly.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar summed it up bluntly, saying Gill was “short of runs at the moment”.

T20 World Cup awaits as Gill watches from afar

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8 with eight venues in action. India begin their campaign at the Wankhede Stadium against the USA, placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands and the US.

Gill won’t be part of that ride. But knowing his career graph, this feels more like a pause than a full stop. For now, Gill has parked the disappointment, wished the team well and moved on.