"If he fails four innings will you drop him as well?" - Yograj Singh slams selectors for dropping Shubman Gill from T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh slammed the team management for dropping Shubman Gill from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. In one of the more stunning turns of events, the right-hander went from vice-captain to out of the 15-member squad for the mega event, starting February 7.

Gill endured a dismal run since returning to the Indian T20I side for the Asia Cup 2025 after a year-long absence from the format. The 26-year-old scored only 291 runs in 15 T20Is at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26.

Talking about Gill's sudden omission from the World Cup squad, Yograj Singh said on the Ravi Bisht YouTube channel (via India Today):

"Shubman Gill is a vice-captain. What is the reason behind dropping him? Just because he failed in 4-5 innings? Indian cricket has had so many players who have barely managed to perform in 10 matches out of 100 opportunities. They still played; you already know the reason why. Young Abhishek Sharma arrived a couple of years ago. If he fails four innings will you drop him as well?"

Gill's inclusion also disrupted the successful opening stand between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, with the latter relegated to the middle-order. Axar Patel is back as the vice-captain of the T20I side with Gill's dropping.

"Bishan Singh Bedi still took him on the subsequent tour of England" - Yograj Singh

Yograj Singh continued to double down on his support for Shubman Gill with an example of how legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev was backed during a form slump. Kapil went on to become one of India's most accomplished cricketers, finishing his international career with over 9,000 runs and 687 wickets.

"Let me give you an example of the ‘great’ Kapil Dev. When we toured Pakistan with Bishan Singh Bedi as captain, Kapil Dev continued to play matches despite failing with bat and ball. But Bishan Singh Bedi still took him on the subsequent tour of England," said Yograj (via the aforementioned source).

Despite Shubman Gill's exclusion, India boasts a strong unit for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. The defending champions have been in dominant form in T20Is, winning 16 out of 19 matches in 2025.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran