Why Did Dinesh Karthik Find the Exclusion of Gill and Jitesh Sharma Shocking?
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Synopsis
Dinesh Karthik's reaction to the surprise exclusions of Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma from the T20 World Cup 2026 squad raises eyebrows. As India prepares for the tournament, Karthik discusses the implications of these omissions and the potential vulnerabilities in the team. What does this mean for India's chances? Dive into the details!
Key Takeaways
- Dinesh Karthik expresses shock over Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma's exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad.
- The squad is led by Suryakumar Yadav with Axar Patel as vice-captain.
- Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh make notable returns.
- India enters the tournament with a strong lineup but faces challenges due to the absence of senior players.
- India's first match is against the United States on February 7.
New Delhi, Dec 20 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik expressed his disbelief at the omission of India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup 2026 and the New Zealand T20I series. He also conveyed his dismay regarding Jitesh Sharma's exclusion from the team.
The squad announcement was made by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Saturday. Axar Patel was appointed as the vice-captain, while Ishan Kishan made a notable return after demonstrating impressive form in leading Jharkhand to victory in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Rinku Singh also rejoins the T20I squad after missing the 3-1 series victory in South Africa.
Karthik shared his astonishment at Shubman Gill's removal, labeling both exclusions as surprising decisions. He stated, “The significant news of the day: India’s T20 World Cup squad is announced and guess what? Shubman Gill, the current vice-captain, has been dropped—not just from the playing XI but from the entire squad. They opted for an extra opener, bringing in Ishan Kishan and dropping Jitesh Sharma as well. Instead of Jitesh Sharma, it’s Rinku Singh. This is tremendous news. The dropping of Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma was unexpected. It suggests a lack of clarity in the decision-making process. They had consistently supported Shubman Gill, and now they have opted to let him go,” Karthik remarked on Instagram.
Karthik believes that India is entering the upcoming T20 World Cup with a robust squad, featuring match-winners across various skills. He mentioned that India boasts the leading opener in Abhishek Sharma, the finest spinner in Varun Chakaravarthy, the world’s top allrounder in Hardik Pandya, and perhaps the greatest fast bowler in history, Jasprit Bumrah. This ensures a formidable playing XI, even before the final combinations are established.
Despite this strength, he noted some possible weaknesses, emphasizing that for the first time, India will enter a T20 World Cup without the invaluable experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He also raised concerns about Suryakumar Yadav's recent performance but expressed confidence that he would regain form.
“India presents a strong squad on paper, regardless of which names you include. This team is solid, with the best in every skill set: best opener: Abhishek Sharma, best spinner: Varun Chakaravarthy, best allrounder in the world: Hardik Pandya, and perhaps the best fast bowler ever: Jasprit Bumrah. With these four in the squad, a strong XI will enter the World Cup. However, India does face a couple of vulnerabilities: for the first time in a T20 World Cup, they lack the experience of two of the greatest players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Additionally, Suryakumar Yadav's form is a concern. Yet we all know his capabilities. Will this vulnerability transform into a strength once he finds his form? It definitely will. To conclude, Shubman Gill's exclusion was unexpected, and I genuinely feel for Jitesh Sharma. Both are shocking omissions from this squad,” he added.
India's T20 World Cup journey will commence on February 7 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium against the United States. Following this, on February 12, they will face Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The highly anticipated match against Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is slated for February 15. India will wrap up their group stage on February 18 against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Point of View
The recent squad announcement for the T20 World Cup 2026 is a significant moment in Indian cricket. While the exclusion of key players like Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma may raise questions, it also reflects a shift towards developing a new core of talent. The focus should remain on how the team adapts and evolves in the face of these changes, ensuring that India remains competitive on the world stage.
NationPress
22/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Shubman Gill dropped from the T20 World Cup squad?
Shubman Gill was dropped as part of a strategic decision to introduce Ishan Kishan as an extra opener and to make room for Rinku Singh in the squad.
What did Dinesh Karthik say about the exclusions?
Dinesh Karthik expressed his surprise and disappointment over the exclusions of both Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma, calling them shocking omissions from the squad.
When does India's T20 World Cup campaign start?
India's T20 World Cup campaign begins on February 7 at Wankhede Stadium against the United States.
Who are the key players in the Indian squad?
Key players include Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, among others.
Are there any concerns about the team's performance?
Yes, there are concerns regarding the absence of experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as well as Suryakumar Yadav's recent form.
