Star India batter Shubman Gill was not informed about his snub from the T20 World Cup squad during the Ahmedabad T20I, which he sat out due to an injury and was only informed moments before the selection meeting on Saturday, December 20, according to a report in The Times of India.
As per earlier reports, Gill’s involvement in the Ahmedabad T20I was uncertain because of a toe injury. The management chose not to risk him for the fifth T20I against South Africa.
The team management had considered giving an injection for the ‘minor niggle,’ but prioritising the upcoming New Zealand T20Is and the T20 World Cup, they decided against it.
“Shubman Gill was spoken to before the meeting. Obviously, we cannot give the details, but he explained the combination call. Unfortunate for him, but at the end of the day, you need the best combination for the World Cup,” a BCCI official said while speaking to The Times of India.
Concerns over Gill’s powerplay strike rate, combined with the rise of more explosive alternatives, seem to have worked against him. He managed scores of just 4, 0, and 28 across three games against South Africa.
“Shubman Gill is short of runs at the moment and missed the last World Cup too,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar said while announcing the team.
Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan, sidelined for much of the year because of fitness and availability problems, made a strong statement in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, guiding Jharkhand to the title with a brilliant hundred.
“It isn’t about Gill’s form. We wanted to have a keeper at the top,” captain Suryakumar Yadav said.
The handling of Gill’s non-selection seems to suit all parties: Suryakumar avoids pressure from a high-profile vice-captain, while Agarkar rewards a standout domestic performer.
Gill’s omission is the most interesting decision of the selection meeting in Mumbai, although given his form, it was not very surprising. In his place, Axar Patel is the new vice captain of the team.