India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has thrown up a major talking point, with Shubman Gill left out of the final selection and Axar Patel appointed as the team’s vice-captain.
Gill’s omission is the most significant call made by the selectors, especially given his stature across formats. While no official reason has been detailed, his absence is widely seen as being linked to recent injury concerns, which may have influenced the management’s decision to avoid any fitness risk heading into a high-intensity T20 tournament.
Axar’s elevation to the leadership group underlines his growing importance in India’s T20 setup. The all-rounder has become a key asset with his ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game, offering balance, control and tactical flexibility — attributes that appear to have earned him the vice-captaincy role.
Overall, the squad announcement points to a clear focus on fitness, role clarity and reliability as India prepare for the World Cup. With bold selection calls already made, the team’s composition is likely to remain a subject of discussion as preparations gather pace.