Sanjay Manjrekar takes a jibe at out-of-form Shubman Gill
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The BCCI selection committee opted to leave Shubman Gill out of India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, a decision that drew attention given his stature in Indian cricket. Gill was afforded several opportunities in the shortest format over the past year but struggled to make a lasting impact. Since making his return to T20 internationals during the Asia Cup in September, the Punjab batter featured in 15 matches, managing only 291 runs. His numbers reflected the difficulties he faced, with an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26, figures that fell short of expectations for a top-order batter in modern T20 cricket. Despite his undeniable talent and success in other formats, Gill was unable to consistently translate his game to the fast-paced demands of T20Is.
Sanjay Manjrekar takes a jibe at Shubman Gill's form
Amid this backdrop, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar appeared to offer a pointed observation without naming any player directly. He stressed that personal milestones should not be overvalued in T20 cricket and argued that strike rate and overall impact are far more critical in the format. His remarks were widely interpreted as a subtle reference to Gill’s situation, reinforcing the idea that effectiveness, intent, and scoring speed ultimately carry greater weight than traditional batting achievements in T20 cricket.
He hasn’t got a single 50 in 20 inngs. A stat often cited to suggest loss of form. T20s is & will always be about strike rates.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 23, 2025
The last thing you want is an out of form batter playing cautiously when he comes close to 50. This will lose you the game.
Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed the view that the Indian selectors corrected an earlier misjudgment by leaving Shubman Gill out of the T20 setup. According to the former India batter, the decision to move on from Gill in the shortest format reflects a more balanced and format-specific approach to selection. Manjrekar suggested that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, may have been influenced by Gill’s outstanding performance in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy earlier in the year, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer. While acknowledging Gill’s class and consistency in longer formats, Manjrekar implied that success in Test cricket should not automatically translate into selection in T20 internationals.
He argued that the selectors initially allowed Gill’s red-ball dominance to shape their thinking, which may have led to expectations that did not align with the demands of T20 cricket. In Manjrekar’s assessment, the recent omission signals a course correction, with greater emphasis being placed on players whose skills and scoring patterns are better suited to the fast-paced nature of the format. His comments underlined the importance of judging players strictly on T20-specific criteria, rather than on reputation or achievements in other versions of the game.
Shubman Gill’s omission from the T20 World Cup squad paved the way for Ishan Kishan’s return to the Indian setup, marking a notable shift in the selectors’ approach. Kishan, who last featured for India in December 2023, earned his recall on the back of outstanding performances in domestic cricket. Representing Jharkhand in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter was in excellent form, consistently scoring quick runs and showcasing the aggressive intent that is highly valued in the T20 format. His performances highlighted his readiness to step back into international cricket despite a lengthy absence from the national side.
While Kishan prepares for a comeback on the global stage, Gill is set to return to domestic action. The Punjab batter will turn out for his home state in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, using the 50-over tournament as an opportunity to regain momentum and reinforce his credentials in limited-overs cricket. Although missing out on T20 World Cup selection is a setback, the domestic assignment offers Gill a platform to work on his game and remain in contention for future opportunities. The contrasting paths of the two players underline the selectors’ emphasis on recent form and format-specific impact.
