Indian selectors dropped Shubman Gill, the Test and ODI captain, from the T20 squad for the World Cup in February following a long slump in form. The 26-year-old has scored just 291 runs in his last 15 T20 matches, averaging 24.25.
"Shubman Gill is short of runs at the moment," chief selector Ajit Agarkar said in Mumbai.
Despite similar concerns about form, Suryakumar Yadav has been retained as captain. The T20 specialist has managed only 244 runs in his last 22 innings in the format, without scoring a fifty. “We have full faith in our captain to deliver during the World Cup,” Agarkar added.
Suryakumar admitted his “rough patch” has lasted too long but said he knows how to bounce back. “I know what to do. I have time to fix it. We will definitely see Surya the batter,” he said. All-rounder Axar Patel was named vice-captain.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan earned a place in the 15-member squad thanks to his excellent domestic form. Kishan last played for India in 2023.
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The team will also play five home T20Is against New Zealand from January 21, the final international matches before the World Cup. The 10th edition of the tournament, hosted by Sri Lanka and India, will feature 20 nations. India are the defending champions, having beaten South Africa in a thrilling 2024 final in Barbados.
The squad includes Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Axar Patel (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, and Ishan Kishan.
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