Shubman Gill’s exclusion considered due to injury concerns:BCCI officials break silence on T20 World Cup squad selection; Sanju-Kishan get nod for ICC event

Shubman Gill learned about his exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup squad on Saturday afternoon, shortly before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the official announcement around 2 pm. The squad for the Twenty20 World Cup, along with the team for the preceding New Zealand series, was finalised at the BCCI office, and Gill was unexpectedly left out. The decision came as a shock to the young batter, who had been preparing himself mentally for both the World Cup and the New Zealand series. According to sources, Gill had already left Ahmedabad on Saturday morning and was travelling back to Chandigarh when he received the news over a phone call. However, it remains unclear who informed him first. While missing out on the T20 World Cup has been a setback, Gill’s focus will now be on regaining full fitness and making a strong comeback in the longer formats. Exclusion of Gill came all of a sudden; didn’t have prior information According to PTI reports, Shubman Gill’s fate wasn’t actually sealed on Saturday when BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced the squad for the T20 World Cup, but when the fourth T20 International was called off on Wednesday due to thick smog.
That was the day it was decided that Gill would not be picked for the T20 World Cup, but till Saturday morning, India’s two-format captain was neither informed by the chairman of selectors nor did captain Suryakumar Yadav or head coach Gautam Gambhir inform him, according to a BCCI source. Shubman Gill’s injury is considered the reason for exclusion India T20I Vice-captain Shubman Gill’s exclusion is believed to be linked to a niggle in his right foot. The injury had earlier ruled him out of the abandoned fourth T20I in Lucknow. Despite the discomfort, Gill was reportedly keen to play the fifth and final T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad, even if it meant taking painkillers. However, the team management advised him against risking a worsening of the injury with the World Cup approaching. Confirming the injury, the BCCI stated, “Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right foot while batting in the nets on December 16 in Lucknow. After consulting a specialist and receiving treatment from the BCCI medical team, he is improving.” Samson-Kishan get nod ahead of the T20 World Cup With Gill unavailable, Sanju Samson was drafted into the playing XI in Ahmedabad and made a strong impression. He has since emerged as India’s first-choice opening partner alongside Abhishek Sharma for the upcoming T20Is. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been named as the third opener in the squad, further pushing Gill out of the T20 setup for now. Focus shifts to ODIs and domestic cricket Now back home in Chandigarh, Gill is set to represent Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He is expected to rejoin the Indian team for the three-match ODI series scheduled in early January. Although the ODI squad is yet to be officially announced, sources suggest it is almost certain that Gill will return as captain. Notably, he had also missed the recent ODI series against South Africa earlier this month.