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India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement on Saturday sparked immediate debate, especially after Shubman Gill was left out despite being the vice-captain in the format. Soon after the squad reveal by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir was spotted at the Delhi airport, where he chose not to respond to repeated questions from the media regarding Gill’s omission. A video of Gambhir silently walking past reporters has since gone viral on social media.

Gill’s exclusion came after a disappointing T20I series against South Africa, where the young batter managed just 32 runs across three matches. While Gill remains a key figure in India’s Test and ODI plans, his struggle to adapt to the high-tempo demands of T20 cricket, particularly during the powerplay overs, appears to have influenced the selectors’ decision. Ajit Agarkar acknowledged that Gill is short of runs, while stressing that team balance was a key factor.

Meanwhile, the return of Ishan Kishan grabbed attention as the selectors underlined their preference for aggressive wicketkeeper-batters and flexible left-right combinations at the top of the order. Suryakumar Yadav clarified that the decision was not solely about Gill’s form, but rather about tactical needs. Kishan’s impressive performances in domestic cricket, including a match-winning century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, strengthened his case for a comeback.