Former Indian cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra has delivered a pointed reaction to the exclusion of Shubman Gill from India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Chopra described the move as the definitive end of an "experiment" that began with Gill's appointment as vice-captain ahead of the Asia Cup in September 2025.
The End of an Ideological Shift
In a series of posts on social media platform X, Chopra elaborated that Gill's omission was not merely a decision based on poor recent form. He framed it as a reversal of a specific team ideology adopted just a few months prior. "Dropping Gill is not just a call made on the basis of his recent form…it's about the change in ideology India adopted at the start of the Asia Cup," Chopra stated.
He explained that the earlier philosophy emphasized the need for an anchoring batsman in high-pressure tournament games, rather than an all-out aggressive approach aiming for 200-plus scores every time. This thinking, according to Chopra, had also limited opportunities for players like Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the top order.
Gill's Struggling Run in T20s
The decision comes on the back of a prolonged lean patch for the talented opener in the shortest format. Statistics reveal that Gill managed only 291 runs in his last 15 T20 international matches. His struggles were evident in the recent T20I series against South Africa as well, where he registered scores of 4, 0, and 28.
Gill missed the fifth match of that series on Friday, December 19, 2025. His absence allowed Sanju Samson to step in and seize the opportunity, scoring a brisk 37 runs off 22 balls and providing India with a strong start.
Broader Squad Changes and Implications
Chopra expressed surprise at the magnitude of changes made to the squad so close to the global tournament. He highlighted several key shifts, including the return of Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan's inclusion as a wicketkeeping batter. The appointment of all-rounder Axar Patel as the new vice-captain was another significant development.
"The Shubman Gill experiment as a vice-captain, as an opener started in the Asia Cup and it's over before the end of the year. Massive news," Chopra emphasized in a video analysis. He pointed out the larger concern for Gill's career trajectory, noting, "India were looking for a 3-format captain but he couldn't solidify his place in one format."
This marks the second major World Cup omission for Gill in a short span, having also missed selection for the 2024 edition. Chopra concluded that while Gill had a fairly good 2025 overall, this exclusion so close to another World Cup is a worrying sign for the young batsman's standing in the T20 setup, effectively putting the team's previous plans for him to rest.
