Ravichandran Ashwin’s Insights on Shubman Gill’s Exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup Squad
Last Updated: December 20, 2025, 23:38 IST
In a surprising yet expected turn of events, Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the exclusion of Shubman Gill from India’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad. Unlike many analysts and former cricketers, Ashwin was not taken aback by this decision. Instead, he regarded it as a natural consequence of the ongoing adjustments in the team’s strategy, particularly under the influence of Rohit Sharma’s tactics.
The Context of Gill’s Exclusion
The drama began when Shubman Gill sustained an injury prior to the fifth T20I against South Africa, leaving room for Sanju Samson to step back into the spotlight. With Gill having previously replaced Samson in the opener’s position before the 2025 Asia Cup, a series of poor performances had led to questions about both players’ viability. While Gill was given consistent backing—primarily due to his appointment as vice-captain—his statistics highlighted a struggle to meet expectations, amassing only 291 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 137.26.
Ashwin articulated that Gill’s inability to mesh with the aggressive batting blueprint subsequently developed by Rohit Sharma was a pivotal factor. “He clearly tried to fit into the uber-aggressive model at the top of the order,” noted Ashwin, emphasizing that while the model had proven successful, Gill had not completely adopted it.
Rohit Sharma’s Tactical Shift
The shift in India’s batting approach, led by Rohit Sharma, had already made waves during the previous World Cup. Ashwin believes this transition has been crucial: “The selectors showed a lot of faith because he was directly appointed vice-captain,” he explained in a recent episode of his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat. The former captain’s strategies have undoubtedly elevated India’s powerplay game, making it essential for players to adapt swiftly.
Ashwin underscored that the Indian team management had likely contributed to this decision as well, as they seek to refine this style of play that relies heavily on fast runs during the powerplay. Samson and Abhishek Sharma, he noted, have exemplified this change effectively.
A Matter of Opportunity
Interestingly, Ashwin pointed out that Gill’s exclusion was not merely based on individual performance but rather a result of changing team dynamics. "I believe the feedback should also have come from Indian team management," he said. This insight implies that the decision wasn’t solely about Gill’s statistics but about how he conformed to the evolving vision of the team’s strategies.
"In a way, it was only a formality that this was going to happen," Ashwin remarked, matter-of-factly. This suggests that Gill’s time in the limelight may take a back seat as the selectors choose to prioritize players who align closely with the current game plan.
Comparing Performance Metrics
When comparing the individual performances of Gill and Samson, the statistics tell an interesting story. Both players had similar powerplay strike rates: Gill’s was 147.77 in 2025, closely mirroring Samson’s 147.31 in the preceding year. However, conversion rates revealed a stark contrast: while Gill recorded three fifties and one century from 36 matches as an opener, Samson achieved three centuries and another fifty in just half the number of games.
This disparity in converting starts into significant scores plays a critical role in team selection, especially in a format as fast-paced as T20.
Final Thoughts
Ravichandran Ashwin’s perspectives provide a comprehensive understanding of the many moving parts behind Shubman Gill’s omission from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. An intricate web of performance metrics, strategic shifts, and team dynamics culminates in what Ashwin views as a rationale tied closely to the evolving nature of Indian cricket under Rohit Sharma’s leadership. As the cricketing world closely monitors these developments, one can only anticipate what the future holds for both Gill and the Indian team.