India drops Shubman Gill from T20 World Cup squad

AFP/APP

Mumbai, India: Indian selectors on Saturday dropped Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill from the T20 squad for the World Cup in February following a prolonged slump in form.

Gill, 26, has scored only 291 runs in his past 15 T20 matches, averaging 24.25.

“Shubman Gill is short of runs at the moment,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar told reporters in Mumbai.

However, batter Suryakumar Yadav was retained as captain despite similar concerns over his form. A T20 specialist, Suryakumar has managed just 244 runs in his last 22 innings in the format, without a single fifty.

“We have full faith in our captain to deliver during the World Cup,” Agarkar said.

Suryakumar acknowledged that his rough patch had lasted longer than expected.

“I know what to do. I have time to fix it. We will definitely see Surya the batter,” the captain said.

All-rounder Axar Patel was named vice-captain.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan earned a recall after strong performances in domestic cricket. Kishan last played for India in 2023.

The same squad will also play five home T20Is against New Zealand from January 21, the final international series before the World Cup.

The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, will feature 20 nations. India are the defending champions, having beaten South Africa in a thrilling 2024 final in Barbados.

India T20 World Cup Squad

Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)

Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)

Abhishek Sharma

Sanju Samson

Tilak Varma

Hardik Pandya

Shivam Dube

Rinku Singh

Jasprit Bumrah

Harshit Rana

Arshdeep Singh

Kuldeep Yadav

Varun Chakaravarthy

Washington Sundar

Ishan Kishan