Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik was taken aback by the exclusion of India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup 2026 and the New Zealand T20I series. Alongside Gill, Karthik also expressed disappointment over Jitesh Sharma’s removal from the squad.
The squad announcement was made by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, with Axar Patel designated as vice-captain. Ishan Kishan makes a notable return after his standout performance leading Jharkhand to victory in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Rinku Singh also rejoins the T20I squad after missing the 3-1 series win in South Africa.
Karthik admitted to his surprise regarding Shubman Gill’s omission, calling both Gill and Jitesh Sharma shocking exclusions from the squad.
“The big news of the day: India World Cup T20 squad is announced and guess what? Shubman Gill, the current vice captain of the T20 team, incumbent opener has been dropped. Not just from the XI but from the squad. They wanted to bring in an extra opener and they brought in Ishan Kishan and dropped Jitesh Sharma as well. And instead of Jitesh Sharma, it’s gonna be Rinku Singh. That is huge news. Dropping Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma. I didn’t see it coming. Just tells you there’s a little bit of clarity lacking. They have backed Shubman Gill for so long and come the day they pick the squad, they have let him go,” Karthik stated on Instagram.
Karthik believes India heads into the upcoming T20 World Cup with a strong squad on paper, filled with match-winners. He highlighted that India has the best opener in Abhishek Sharma, the best spinner in Varun Chakaravarthy, the world’s premier all-rounder in Hardik Pandya, and arguably the best fast bowler in Jasprit Bumrah. This ensures a robust playing XI even before final combinations are settled.
However, he pointed out potential vulnerabilities, noting that for the first time, India will compete in a T20 World Cup without the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He also raised concerns about Suryakumar Yadav’s recent form but backed him to convert it into a strength once he finds his rhythm.
“India looks a strong squad on paper no matter what names you add there, this team is solid. Across every skillset, they have the best in the world: best opener: Abhishek Sharma, best spinner: Varun Chakaravarthy, best all-rounder: Hardik Pandya, the best fast bowler ever maybe: Jasprit Bumrah. With those four in the squad, you are going to have a strong XI walking into that World Cup. A couple of areas of vulnerabilities that India would have: For the first time ever in a T20 World Cup, they will have no experience of the greatest two that have probably ever played in Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli in a World Cup team. And the second point would be Suryakumar Yadav’s form. But we all know how good he is. That vulnerable aspect will it change into a strength when he finds form? It definitely will. Well, let’s just finish by saying: Shubman Gill. Didn’t see that coming. And I feel really bad for Jitesh Sharma. Two shocking omissions from this squad,” he added.
India’s T20 World Cup campaign will commence on February 7 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium against the United States. Following that, on February 12, they will face Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The significant match against Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will take place on February 15, with India concluding their group stage on February 18 against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.