Former India cricketer Yograj Singh has launched a fiery attack on the Indian team selectors over their T20 World Cup 2026 squad selection, questioning the exclusion of vice-captain Shubman Gill. Yograj claimed that Gill has been dropped for “far too little,” arguing that the young batter has not been afforded the patience shown to several players in the past.
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Yograj also alleged favouritism in Indian cricket’s selection process and went as far as taking a swipe at former World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, suggesting that some players historically received extended runs despite repeated failures.
Yograj Singh questions Shubman Gill’s exclusion
Speaking to journalist Ravish Bisht, Yograj Singh expressed disbelief over Gill’s omission from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. He argued that failing in four or five innings should not warrant exclusion, especially for a player holding the vice-captaincy.
“Shubman Gill is a vice-captain. What is the reason behind dropping him? Just because he failed in four or five innings?” Yograj asked. “There have been Indian cricketers who barely performed in 10 matches despite getting 100 opportunities. They still played and everyone knows why.”
He further questioned whether similar standards would be applied to other young players, adding, “Abhishek Sharma arrived a couple of years ago. If he fails in four innings, will you drop him as well?”
Yograj then drew a controversial comparison, recalling a past tour involving Kapil Dev. He claimed that despite poor performances with both bat and ball during a Pakistan tour under Bishan Singh Bedi’s captaincy, Kapil continued to feature and was even selected for the subsequent England tour.
“Let me give you an example of the ‘great’ Kapil Dev,” Yograj remarked. “He failed with bat and ball in Pakistan but still went on the England tour. That’s how opportunities worked back then.”
However, Gill’s recent form has worked against him. The right-hander failed to register a single half-century in India’s home T20I series against South Africa and also struggled throughout the eight-match white-ball tour of Australia. An underwhelming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, coupled with strong competition from players like Sanju Samson, further dented his case for selection.
