“This will lose you the game” - Former India cricketer’s subtle dig at Shubman Gill ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar seemingly took a subtle dig at the out-of-form Shubman Gill following the announcement of the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. Manjrekar also dismissed milestones as a key parameter for selection in the shortest format and instead pointed to strike rates being the most important element for T20 batting.

Gill returned to the Indian T20I side and was appointed vice-captain after a year's absence ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup. However, the right-hander struggled massively in 15 games from that point, averaging a dismal 24.25 at a strike rate of 137.25 with no half-centuries.

Reacting to the rationale behind his eventual exclusion from the World Cup squad, Manjrekar, without mentioning names, posted on his X handle:

"He hasn’t got a single 50 in 20 innings. A stat often cited to suggest loss of form. T20s is & will always be about strike rates. The last thing you want is an out-of-form batter playing cautiously when he comes close to 50. This will lose you the game."

Shubman Gill has struggled throughout his T20I career, averaging only a tick over 28 at a strike rate of 138.59 in 36 outings.

"Gill omission is basically selectors rectifying a mistake" - Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar lauded the Indian selectors for rectifying their mistake of including Shubman Gill in the T20I side in the first place by dropping him for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The former batter believes the right-hander was included in the T20I side based on his exceptional Test series in England.

"When you pick someone excitedly on Test performance for T20s, this is what happens. Gill omission is basically selectors rectifying a mistake they made when they got a bit carried away after the England tour," said Manjrekar (via his X handle).

Shubman Gill enjoyed a historic Test tour of England, scoring 754 runs at an average of over 75, including four centuries, while leading the Indian red-ball side for the first time. The stylish batter also scored heavily in the 2025 IPL season, finishing with 650 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of almost 156 in 15 matches.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran