Is Shubman Gill Guaranteed a Place in the Playing XI?

Mumbai, Aug 19 (NationPress) With Shubman Gill's inclusion in the T20 squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that he will not automatically secure a spot in the playing XI. The final decision will rest with the coach and captain.

The selectors surprised many by including Test team captain Shubman Gill, despite his absence in recent white-ball matches. Agarkar clarified that his absence was due to a scheduling conflict between formats. In his place, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma seized the opportunity and performed admirably.

Gill stepped in as vice-captain, replacing Axar Patel, despite not playing many T20 games because of his commitments to the Test and ODIs.

When asked if Gill would re-enter the playing XI as vice-captain, Agarkar kept it open-ended: “The captain and coach will determine the best balance for the team. Once we arrive in Dubai, we will have greater clarity. There are now more options available. Shubman has been in excellent form for the past few months, as has Sanju. So, we have two strong options, along with Abhishek,” he mentioned.

On the omission of Yashasvi Jaiswal from the main squad, the chief selector expressed regret over having to leave him out.

"Regarding Yashasvi Jaiswal, it's unfortunate. Abhishek Sharma's contributions over the past year have been noteworthy, and he offers the captain a bowling option if needed.

"One of these players was always going to miss out. It's simply unfortunate that Yashasvi will have to wait for his opportunity. As for Shreyas, we can make adjustments. It's not a fault on his part or ours; we can only select 15, and for now, he must bide his time," Agarkar explained.

Agarkar also addressed questions about Bumrah's availability, given that the pacer participated in only three Tests in England. He noted that a brief break after the England series allowed Bumrah and other players time to recuperate.

"Naturally, there was a break following the England series. The team management and support staff maintain regular contact with him. We've been proactive about his well-being, knowing his value. We want him fit for all significant matches—international encounters, World Cups, and major series like those against England or Australia. His injury history necessitates extra care, and this approach won’t change in the coming months," he added.

The absence of Shreyas Iyer and the exclusion of Sai Sudharsan were also hot topics during the press conference. Agarkar remarked that not everyone can make the cut. "There are countless players available, so naturally, some will miss out. We only have 15 spots, so someone has to be left out," he noted.

Despite scoring 604 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 175 in IPL 2025 and leading the Punjab Kings to the final, Iyer did not make the final 15.

"Regarding Shreyas, who could he replace? It's not his fault, nor is it ours. Currently, we can only choose 15. So, he will need to await his opportunity," Agarkar stated.

Both Suryakumar Yadav and Agarkar remarked that the Asia Cup marks the beginning of India’s preparation for the next T20 World Cup.

Agarkar was asked if Gill's return as vice-captain suggests he may take on a leadership role in the future.

"He has led the T20I side in Zimbabwe, and he already captains the Test team. As Surya mentioned, he served as vice-captain in the last T20, indicating we recognize leadership qualities in him. His recent performance in England exceeded our expectations, showcasing his potential even under pressure as a captain," Agarkar concluded.