IND vs NZ ODI Series: Shubman Gill Breaks Silence on T20 World Cup Snub, Focuses on New Zealand Series

Young Indian opener Shubman Gill has addressed his exclusion from the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The BCCI recently announced the team for the significant ICC tournament, set to commence on February 7th, and Gill's name was notably absent, while once the vice-captain of the Indian T20 format team, Shubman Gill was dropped due to a spell of poor form. Following this decision, Gill spoke candidly about the matter during a press conference held before the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand.

Gill's Candid Response and Future Outlook

During the pre-series press conference for the New Zealand ODIs, Shubman Gill was questioned about his omission from the T20 World Cup squad. He responded with remarkable maturity, stating, "I am where I should be and no one can take away what is written in my destiny. " This statement reflects his mental fortitude and his ability to accept circumstances with grace. He further elaborated that a player always believes in giving his best for the country, and the selectors have made their decision. Gill expressed his respect for the selectors' choice and extended his best wishes to the team for the T20 World Cup. His remarks underscore his commitment to the team's success, prioritizing it over. Any personal disappointment and demonstrating a professional approach to a challenging situation.

A Closer Look at Gill's Disappointing T20I Performance

The primary reason behind Shubman Gill's exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad has been his recent performance in T20 Internationals. In 2025, Gill played a total of 15 T20I matches for India, where his performance fell short of expectations, while across these matches, he managed to score only 219 runs at an average of 24. 25 and a strike rate of 137, while 26. Crucially, he failed to register a single half-century during this period, which is a significant concern for an opening batsman, while despite being given continuous opportunities as an opener, he was unable to capitalize on them and convert starts into substantial innings. This consistent dip in form ultimately led to his removal from the T20 squad. While Gill has an overall T20I career record of 869 runs in 36 matches at an average of 28. 03, including some impactful innings, his recent struggles proved decisive.

Focus Shifts to the Upcoming ODI Series Against New Zealand

Despite the setback of being left out of the T20 World Cup squad, Shubman Gill's immediate focus has entirely shifted to the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, while he has been included in the Indian squad for this ODI series and is set to feature prominently. This series presents a crucial opportunity for him to regain his form and demonstrate his capabilities to the selectors. Gill's performance in the ODI format has historically been more consistent than in T20s, and he has played several memorable innings in this format. That's why, he will undoubtedly use this series to find his rhythm, build confidence, and strengthen his claim for future selections in white-ball cricket.

India's Campaign to Defend the T20 World Cup Title

Following Shubman Gill's exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad, a. Significant change has been made within the Indian T20 team's leadership structure. All-rounder Axar Patel has been appointed as the vice-captain of the T20 team. This decision by the team management likely takes into account future strategies and the current form of the players. Axar Patel provides crucial balance to the team with his left-arm spin bowling and handy lower-order batting, and he will now be seen in a leadership role. This marks an important milestone in his career and signifies his growing importance within. The team setup, reflecting confidence in his abilities both as a player and a leader. India is set to defend its T20 World Cup title on home soil. In the 2024 World Cup, Team India emerged victorious, defeating South Africa to claim the T20 World Cup title for the first time since 2007. Experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were integral parts. Of that winning squad, playing pivotal roles in the team's success. This time around, Team India is expected to use home conditions to retain the coveted trophy, while while the exclusion of young talents like Shubman Gill might pose a challenge, the team still boasts a strong lineup of match-winners who are fully prepared to defend the title and bring glory to the nation once again.