Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh barge into World Cup squad, selectors slam door on Shubman Gill
For once, the selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India needs to be complimented in picking the right 15 players for the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in India in 2026. For those who think Shubman Gill being dropped is the headline, no way. Gill has been unfit, since the time he went out of the Test series against South Africa with ‘neck pain.’ Truth to tell, that was more than a neck issue, as his MRI report revealed in Kolkata. It was actually a nerve issue from his ‘back’ which had affected his neck. There was no way he could have recovered fast. And the latest, a toe injury, suggests it is more than a case of bad luck for Shubman Gill, overhyped and projected as if he is necessary for all forms of Indian cricket.
It was a massive nexus, portraying Gill as the all-format player. He was never a T20 player, and to miss the World Cup for the second time in a row is fair. He cannot complain about it. If anything, runs have dried from his blade. For coach Gautam Gambhir as well to say Gill scored a bucket full of runs in England during the Test tour was ages back. Form is present and has to be continuous.
As it were, with Suryakumar Yadav chosen as captain, it is dicey. SKY has been in pathetic form, as highlighted by this writer in these very columns. He was brave at the press conference on Saturday. To save his own career, SKY has to play himself back in form. There is no such thing as SKY cannot be dropped in the World Cup. With trusted Axar Patel back in a leadership role as vice-captain of the side for the World Cup, a lot can be read between the lines. Axar replacing Gill is a sign, if it come to a crunch, SKY can also be dropped.
In case people have forgotten, during the Border Gavaskar Trophy away series in 2024-25, Rohit Sharma was dropped as well. It is another matter, Rohit said he had himself opted out due to lack of touch. That Rohit was forced out of Test cricket is also another matter. But if it can happen to Rohit, Gill and SKY are no different. They are also just players, not superstars who can be in the side just on hype and support from coach Gautam Gambhir.
To be sure, there has been intense debate and heat on the way selection matters have been handled in recent times for Tests, ODIs as well as the T20s. It is no longer a case of two men in cahoots, Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar taking all calls. How can one forget the shabby treatment meted out to Sanju Samson?
Well, Samson is back, truly. This is the best news he could have heard ahead of Christmas, but certainly not a present from Agarkar. It is now proven beyond doubt the two other selectors who have been watching the domestic events in India have kept an eye on performers. And that is how Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh also make it to the side. Ishan has also been a victim in the past but is happy today. He has bounced back by sheer weight of performance.
On paper, this looks a good Indian side for the World Cup, where India are the defending champions. For those who need a reminder, the last match result – a win against SA in Ahmedabad on Friday , showed Samson in superb form. Add to it the way Ishan Kishan smashed a century for Jharkand in the SMAT final, the selectors are watching. It is no longer about Agarkar calling shots, two more selectors are also there as watchdogs. If there are wheels within wheels, then there are changes happening in the BCCI. And it’s for good.
The team: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan
