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Ravichandran Ashwin was unsurprised by Shubman Gill’s exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, citing a tactic pioneered by Rohit Sharma.
Shubman Gill is seen as Rohit Sharma’s long-term heir. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Unlike many other pundits and ex-cricketers, Ravichandran Ashwin wasn’t surprised by Shubman Gill’s snub from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. Ashwin, in reality, felt it was only a ‘formality’ when the opener got injured before Friday’s fifth T20I against South Africa, leaving the door open for Sanju Samson.
Gill had replaced Samson because the opener before the 2025 Asia Cup, with the latter shifted to the center order. Each didn’t perform per expectations, but while Samson was dropped, Gill was backed till the third T20I against South Africa. Overall, although he clearly tried to suit into the uber-aggressive model at the highest of the order, his numbers had an amazing look to them: 291 runs in 15 innings at a strike-rate of 137.26.
Ashwin said that ultimately, Gill couldn’t fit into the model that was heralded successfully by former skipper Rohit Sharma.
“Obviously, Shubman Gill had been given lots of backing,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat. “The selectors showed lots of faith because he was directly appointed vice-captain. Right away, it has change into very very clear as to what looks like a really superb combination. I consider the feedback also needs to have come from Indian team management because we’ve got to do not forget that India modified their variety of play contained in the powerplay. Rohit (Sharma) had shown it within the last World Cup. And that’s the style they desired to proceed. And Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma personify that exact passage and pattern of play.”
“Actually, that is irrelevant. I even have said before that the mix and formula will change. And that’s what has happened. I’m not surprised. Because I believe the way in which it was going and we also talked that it is best to give the subsequent two T20s if he is obtainable. Unfortunately, Shubman got injured and the way in which he got injured and Sanju got here into the side, it was only a formality that this was going to occur,” Ashwin added.
Interestingly, there’s not much difference between Gill’s powerplay strike-rate in 2025 — 147.77 — and Samson’s in the identical phase in 2024 — 147.31 — when he was repeatedly opening. It’s the conversion part where Gill has suffered, managing only three fifties and one century in 36 matches as an opener, when Samson has scored three tons and one other fifty in half the games.
December 20, 2025, 23:38 IST
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