India’s Gill calls it destiny after shock T20 World Cup snub

Test and ODI skipper Shubman Gill on Saturday said he respected the Indian selectors’ shock decision to drop him from the squad for the T20 World Cup on home soil, calling it “destiny.”

The 26-year-old will lead the one-day team in three matches against New Zealand starting Sunday in Vadodara before many of India’s players head into a five-match T20 series.

Indian selectors surprisingly axed the batsman from the T20 squad after he scored only 291 runs in his past 15 matches in the game’s shortest format at an average of 24.25.

“Firstly, it is my belief that in my life, I am where I am supposed to be. Whatever is written in my destiny, I will have it,” Gill told reporters.

“As a player I want to win games for my team, but having said that, I respect the selectors’ decision. I wish the T20 team the very best. I hope that they win the World Cup.”

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, are the defending champions in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka between February 7 and March 8.

Indian players take part in a training session in Vadodara on Saturday. Courtesy: X

First, India will play 50-over matches against New Zealand with the spotlight on stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Kohli and Rohit play only the ODI format after they retired from T20s — after the World Cup triumph in Barbados in 2024 — and Test cricket.

Gill said the presence of the two greats was invaluable for any captain.

“Definitely when you have these two people in your team, it makes your life a lot easier,” said Gill.

“And whenever you are in a tough situation, they always have been in those kind of situations and conditions many times in their life, so you can always go to them and see how they are thinking or what they would do, and that piece of information is very valuable for any captain.”

Speaking further about the dressing room environment with Kohli and Rohit’s presence, Gill said, “The team atmosphere is amazing. The players that you named have been in this atmosphere for decades, and they are the people who always try to push Indian cricket forward. Even in the last series, you saw how well they performed. So I think the atmosphere in the team is great right now.”

The 37-year-old Kohli and Rohit, 38, have been in top batting form in international and domestic cricket, scoring centuries and runs to turn back the clock.

On the eve of the match, both Virat and Rohit put in lengthy practice sessions, spending close to an hour and a half facing Indian pacers, spinners, and throwdown specialists.

Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is set to make a comeback after being ruled out of international cricket due to a spleen injury he sustained during the tour of Australia last year, and will look to continue his dominance at No. 4.

New Zealand’s batting will rely heavily on Devon Conway’s firepower. The 34-year-old has a strong record in India, scoring 527 ODI runs there since 2023.

Daryl Mitchell is another key player to watch, as the World No. 3 has been in excellent form in white-ball formats.

New Zealand’s ODI captain Michael Bracewell is keen to make the most of the Indian conditions ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“It’s always fun coming over and playing here,” said Bracewell, a left-hand batter and off-spinner.

“A month before the T20 World Cup, getting used to these conditions. You won’t be in the same venue but in general, getting used to the nature of the surfaces that they have.”

Bracewell said he will name the playing XI at the toss but confirmed fast bowler Kristian Clarke will make his international debut in the ODI opener.

New Zealand are on a winning streak in ODIs, having won nine straight games since losing the 2025 Champions Trophy final to India.

However, India, who will enter the series as favourites, have won their last seven ODIs against the Black Caps and will look to extend the streak.

Agencies