Shubman Gill naysayers warned: World Cup snub not the end of his road in T20Is
T20 World Cup 2026: Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has warned against writing Shubman Gill off in T20Is, saying the star batter has the tools to make a successful return to the side. Gill was left out of India's T20 World Cup side.
Harbhajan Singh has thrown his weight behind Shubman Gill following the batter’s omission from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, warning critics against writing off one of Indian cricket’s most gifted players on the back of a single setback.
Gill, who continues to serve as India’s Test and ODI captain, was left out of the home T20 World Cup squad as well as the accompanying T20I series against New Zealand — a decision that sparked debate, given his stature and recent leadership responsibilities.
Addressing the criticism surrounding the snub, Harbhajan urged patience, insisting that Gill’s exclusion was more a reflection of competition and team balance than a judgment on his ability.
“It is not a signal for Gill. He was not taking his place for granted, but the competition is so tough that there are many players who can take that slot and perform well for the team. This is not the end of the road for him,” Harbhajan told PTI.
“He is a great player with beautiful technique. I believe he will make a brilliant comeback, and we should not forget that he is still the Test captain.”
The former off-spinner also pointed to the explanations offered by the team leadership, suggesting that the decision was driven by tactical considerations rather than form alone.
“I was listening to Ajit Agarkar and Captain Suryakumar. They were saying that Gill was excluded because of the combination. They must have taken the call depending on the conditions and the combination,” Harbhajan added.
Gill’s omission from the T20 setup comes at a time when Indian selectors have leaned towards aggressive, flexible batting options at the top, with all-rounders and power-hitters favoured to suit modern T20 demands. His more measured approach, once viewed as an asset, has increasingly come under scrutiny in the shortest format.
GILL BACK TO THE GRIND
Despite the disappointment, Gill has wasted little time sulking. The 25-year-old has returned to intense batting sessions at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, focusing on technical refinement and rhythm. Observers at the nets noted Gill’s fluency through both sides of the wicket as he fine-tuned his game heading into the new year.
While he will sit out the T20Is, Gill remains central to India’s plans in ODIs and is set to rejoin the squad for the three-match series against New Zealand from January 11 to 18. He has also committed to playing domestic cricket, making himself available for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, in line with BCCI's directive for star players to feature in domestic cricket.
Gill is expected to turn out for Punjab in the first week of January before he joins the ODI squad for the three-match series against New Zealand.
However, questions around Gill’s T20 future have persisted. Former opener Aakash Chopra recently left him out of an alternative 15-man squad of players ignored by the selection committee, hinting at a growing perception of Gill as a T20 accumulator rather than a disruptor — a view that gained traction after his struggles in the South Africa T20I series earlier this year.
Harbhajan, though, remains unequivocal in his backing.
“Gill is a class player. There is no doubt about it. He will make a great comeback,” he said.
For now, Gill’s road in T20Is may be on pause, but voices like Harbhajan’s serve as a reminder that careers — especially those of elite talents — are rarely defined by a single omission.
Harbhajan Singh has thrown his weight behind Shubman Gill following the batter’s omission from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, warning critics against writing off one of Indian cricket’s most gifted players on the back of a single setback.
Gill, who continues to serve as India’s Test and ODI captain, was left out of the home T20 World Cup squad as well as the accompanying T20I series against New Zealand — a decision that sparked debate, given his stature and recent leadership responsibilities.
Addressing the criticism surrounding the snub, Harbhajan urged patience, insisting that Gill’s exclusion was more a reflection of competition and team balance than a judgment on his ability.
“It is not a signal for Gill. He was not taking his place for granted, but the competition is so tough that there are many players who can take that slot and perform well for the team. This is not the end of the road for him,” Harbhajan told PTI.
“He is a great player with beautiful technique. I believe he will make a brilliant comeback, and we should not forget that he is still the Test captain.”
The former off-spinner also pointed to the explanations offered by the team leadership, suggesting that the decision was driven by tactical considerations rather than form alone.
“I was listening to Ajit Agarkar and Captain Suryakumar. They were saying that Gill was excluded because of the combination. They must have taken the call depending on the conditions and the combination,” Harbhajan added.
Gill’s omission from the T20 setup comes at a time when Indian selectors have leaned towards aggressive, flexible batting options at the top, with all-rounders and power-hitters favoured to suit modern T20 demands. His more measured approach, once viewed as an asset, has increasingly come under scrutiny in the shortest format.
GILL BACK TO THE GRIND
Despite the disappointment, Gill has wasted little time sulking. The 25-year-old has returned to intense batting sessions at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, focusing on technical refinement and rhythm. Observers at the nets noted Gill’s fluency through both sides of the wicket as he fine-tuned his game heading into the new year.
While he will sit out the T20Is, Gill remains central to India’s plans in ODIs and is set to rejoin the squad for the three-match series against New Zealand from January 11 to 18. He has also committed to playing domestic cricket, making himself available for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, in line with BCCI's directive for star players to feature in domestic cricket.
Gill is expected to turn out for Punjab in the first week of January before he joins the ODI squad for the three-match series against New Zealand.
However, questions around Gill’s T20 future have persisted. Former opener Aakash Chopra recently left him out of an alternative 15-man squad of players ignored by the selection committee, hinting at a growing perception of Gill as a T20 accumulator rather than a disruptor — a view that gained traction after his struggles in the South Africa T20I series earlier this year.
Harbhajan, though, remains unequivocal in his backing.
“Gill is a class player. There is no doubt about it. He will make a great comeback,” he said.
For now, Gill’s road in T20Is may be on pause, but voices like Harbhajan’s serve as a reminder that careers — especially those of elite talents — are rarely defined by a single omission.