Revealed - Why Shubman Gill is dropped from the India team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026?

The Indian Cricket Team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 was announced on Saturday, December 20. The major talking point was Shubman Gill getting dropped from the side for the event, which will be played from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka.

Shubman Gill was brought back into the T20I setup ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. It was almost clear then that he would be there in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Although, he didn’t score runs, he got the backing of the management and was also the vice-captain. 

Shubman Gill faced a lot of criticism for not scoring runs but not many expected him to be part of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. But when the squad was announced, Gill was dropped and the vice-captaincy was given to Axar Patel for the tournament. 

Why was Shubman Gill dropped from the India team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026?

As Shubman Gill was dropped from the Indian side for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, selector Ajit Agarkar was asked why he was dropped from the team. Agarkar openly mentioned that the batter was short of runs and hence they had to take the strong call.

"We know what quality player Shubman Gill is, short of runs at the moment. Unfortunately he missed out this T20 World Cup and last World Cup too".

Shubman Gill getting dropped means that India will now open with Sanju Samson along with Abhishek Sharma. The duo before the Asia Cup did a terrific job as openers. In place of Gill, Ishan Kishan has made a comeback in the side following his heroics in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26.

India squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana.