Why Shubman Gill was dropped: Inside the selection room that changed India’s T20 World Cup squad

Strong opposition inside the selection committee, led by new members RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha, resulted in Shubman Gill’s exclusion, while a stunning domestic T20 innings revived Ishan Kishan’s World Cup hopes.

Three days after Team India’s squad for the upcoming home T20 World Cup was announced, one decision continues to dominate discussions among fans and experts, the exclusion of vice-captain Shubman Gill, widely seen as a future all-format leader.

Gill’s omission came as a major surprise, especially since the team was being picked for a World Cup on home soil. According to information emerging from within the selection setup, the decision was not straightforward and involved intense debate at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.

Ahead of the official announcement, a high-level selection meeting was held where chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir had already prepared their preferred list of players. Shubman Gill’s name was part of that initial final list. Agarkar presented the squad as planned and intended to seal it.

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However, the meeting took an unexpected turn. Strong resistance emerged from within the selection committee, and Agarkar’s proposal faced stiff opposition. The chief voices against Gill’s selection were newly inducted committee members RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha. They questioned Agarkar’s continued backing of Gill despite his recent inconsistent performances in the T20 format.

Their objections were supported by other members of the committee. With firm opposition building, Agarkar was left with no option but to drop Gill from the final squad.

What made the decision even more shocking was that Gill had no prior indication of being left out. After missing the 2024 World Cup, Gill had high hopes of representing India in the home tournament. Those hopes were crushed with a brief phone call from Agarkar, who conveyed the message in just three words: “You are dropped.”

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The final selection call went in favour of wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Kishan’s inclusion surprised many, as he had been out of Team India since 2023 and was not considered a strong contender. The turning point was his extraordinary performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final in Pune.

Kishan smashed a blistering century, scoring 101 runs off just 49 balls at a strike rate of 206. His innings featured 10 towering sixes and six boundaries, reaching the landmark in just 45 deliveries. That explosive knock proved decisive.

Both RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha were present at the stadium and witnessed the innings first-hand. Impressed by Kishan’s power-hitting, they strongly pushed for his inclusion during the selection meeting, directly influencing the final call.

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In the end, one phone call shattered Gill’s World Cup dream, while one unforgettable innings revived Ishan Kishan’s international career, underlining how fine the margins can be at the highest level of selection.