New Delhi, Dec 20 (NationPress) Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is of the opinion that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, along with the team management, merits a perfect 10 out of 10 for the adjustments made to the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, where India will compete as the defending champions.

Harbhajan expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan, alongside Axar Patel being appointed as the vice-captain. However, he remarked that this does not signify the end of the road for Shubman Gill in the T20 format.

Gill was designated as the deputy to captain Suryakumar Yadav prior to the Asia Cup in September but failed to surpass the 50-run mark. In the recent 3-1 series victory against South Africa, Gill scored 4, 0, and 28 before being sidelined for the fifth match due to a right foot injury.

"I rate chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the management 10 out of 10. It must have been challenging to omit Shubman Gill, but this is not the end for him in T20s. The priority was the team combination. I am delighted that Rinku Singh is in the squad, and Ishan Kishan has made a comeback.

“We discussed his inclusion, and he earned a place. He is performing well. Jitesh Sharma was not selected as there were already sufficient batters for positions seven or eight.

“With Gill absent, it is essential to have a strong hitter who can also keep wickets at the top, making these adjustments beneficial. Appointing Axar Patel as vice-captain is a commendable decision. Overall, they have executed their plan exceptionally well. I hope the team excels and secures the cup," Harbhajan stated on JioStar.

He further elaborated that Gill's exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad, as well as from the series against New Zealand, was driven by the need for team balance rather than his capabilities at the top of the batting lineup.

"Not selecting Shubman Gill does not diminish his value as a player. We recognize his quality across formats. He is well-prepared, and when he plays, he can outshine others. This is not the end for him. He may feel this setback, but I’m confident the management or Ajit Agarkar will communicate with him.

“Shubman is the future, and keeping your future close is essential, even if you didn't choose him today. They should clarify that it was about team composition, like having a left-right mix or extra power at the top, rather than his form.

“This is a minor setback, but it will serve as a learning opportunity for him. He is a mature captain and player. He should harness this as motivation to improve further. If I could advise him, I would say this marks the beginning of something significant for him," he concluded.

Saba Karim, a former Indian wicketkeeper-batter and national selector, shared his perspective on the last-minute adjustments made by India’s selection committee for the T20 World Cup, describing them as a courageous and necessary decision. "The selection committee primarily focuses on top-order batters, especially in T20. Once they recognized the need for a wicketkeeper to open, everything aligned. This appears to be a course correction and a bold move.

“I commend Ajit Agarkar and the committee, as it is rare to see two significant changes just before a World Cup. They have relied on current form and solid backup options. Everyone knows Shubman Gill is a class player, but he was given opportunities in the T20 setup and did not meet expectations.

“That is why they explored alternative combinations. This is a substantial course correction, and I am pleased they implemented it before the World Cup. It was a significant decision, but they have assembled a robust 15 that can assist India in retaining the title," he concluded.