Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has voiced his surprise and disbelief at the exclusion of star Indian batsman Shubman Gill from the country's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Ponting's comments, made on the ICC Review, highlight the intense competition for places within the Indian team.
Ponting's Reaction to the Surprising Snub
Ricky Ponting admitted he "couldn't believe" that a player of Gill's calibre was left out. He acknowledged that Gill's recent white-ball form had not been at its peak but pointed to the batter's exceptional performances during the Test series in England as evidence of his world-class talent. "The last time that I really saw much of him play was the Test series against England in the UK, where he batted as well as I’ve ever seen anybody bat," Ponting remarked.
For Ponting, the decision serves as a stark indicator of the formidable talent pool available to Indian selectors. "If you can think that someone as good as Shubman Gill doesn't get picked in a World Cup squad, then it goes to show how many good players they do have," he added, emphasising the incredible depth of Indian cricket.
The Selector's Perspective: Ajit Agarkar Explains
The chairman of the senior men's selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, addressed the tough call during the press conference for the squad announcement on January 4, 2026. Agarkar affirmed Gill's quality but pointed to recent runs and team combination as the deciding factors.
"We know what a quality player he is, but, perhaps short of a little bit of runs at the moment," Agarkar stated. He revealed that this was not the first time Gill had missed out on a World Cup due to strategic choices. "It’s unfortunate to have missed out in the last World Cup as well because we went with different combinations."
The former India pacer elaborated that the need for a wicketkeeper batting in the top order influenced the final selection. "Someone has to miss out when you pick 15 and unfortunately, it’s Gill at this point," he concluded.
Gill's Journey to the Omission
Shubman Gill's path to this surprising exclusion has been a rollercoaster. After piling on runs in the red-ball series against England, he made a return to the T20I side for the Asia Cup and was even appointed vice-captain, signalling the team's faith in his leadership.
However, since his return to the T20 setup, Gill struggled to convert starts into substantial scores, failing to register a single half-century in the format. This dip in consistent scoring in the shortest form of the game ultimately led to his axe from the marquee global tournament squad, a decision that has sparked debate among experts and fans alike.
The situation underscores the harsh realities of top-level sport, where current form and specific team needs can sometimes outweigh pure talent, even for a player considered one of the brightest prospects in world cricket.
