India’s squad announcement for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup left many surprised, but the biggest talking point was the omission of Shubman Gill. A player who leads India in Tests and ODIs and has often been seen as the future of Indian batting, Gill missing out on a home World Cup raised a question: Should India have persisted with him as an opener?

On reputation alone, the answer might have been yes. Gill is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted batters of his generation. He made his comeback into the T20I team during the 2025 Asia Cup, and there was clear intent from the management to back him in the shortest format. However, since his return to the T20I setup in September 2025, he managed just 291 runs at an average of 24.25.

For a top-order batter in T20 cricket, those figures are underwhelming. The struggles became more notable during South Africa’s tour of India, where he scored only 32 runs in three innings before a neck injury interrupted his campaign. Though scans later revealed it was only a bruise, the timing of the injury didn’t help his case as he was omitted from the World Cup squad.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was clear that the decision was more about combinations than quality. India, the defending champions, wanted two wicketkeeper-batters at the top of the order, and opened the door for Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. Meanwhile, Kishan forced his way into contention with a stunning Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign of 517 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate nearing 200 while leading Jharkhand to the title.

“Two keepers at the top (Sanju Samson & Ishan Kishan), that's the way we want to try and the team management will eventually decide what kind of combinations they want to play. Rinku (Singh) has come in who gives us a little bit more depth in the lower middle order. It’s about combinations, so someone has to miss out, and unfortunately, it is Gill at this point,” Agarkar explained.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav shared the same reason. He called Gill a “terrific player” but emphasized that roles and team structure dictated the final call. The Men in Blue also loaded their bowling attack with four spinners to suit varying home conditions.

Should India have picked Shubman Gill as opener in T20 World Cup 2026?

From an emotional and long-term perspective, backing a high-quality player through a lean patch can pay dividends. Gill has already shown in ODIs and Tests that he can bounce back brilliantly. In IPL 2025, he scored 650 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate above 155. His recent aggressive net sessions with the Gujarat Titans suggest a player eager to reset and respond.

However, India is hosting the tournament, defending a title, and operating under intense scrutiny. In that context, recent T20I returns matter. Gill’s returns in the format over the past year simply did not match the demands of the opening role.

Notably, tactically, a wicketkeeper opening the batting gives the team balance and depth. With Samson and Kishan in the squad, India has flexibility in both batting order and team composition. Adding Gill would have meant sacrificing either balance or lower-order depth, particularly with Rinku Singh providing finishing firepower. Meanwhile, Gill himself handled the decision maturely, stating that he respects the selectors’ call and wishes the team well.