Shubman Gill, who was recalled to the T20I set-up as vice-captain ahead of the Asia Cup, has been left out of India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

The move came after Gill struggled to make an impact with the bat since his return to the T20I fold, scoring 291 runs in 15 matches at an average of 24.25 and a strike-rate of 137.26.

The bold decision by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee drew mixed reactions, with many seeing it as a course connection while some sympathized with Gill.

On Monday (December 29), former India spinner Harbhajan Singh threw his weight behind Shubman Gill, warning critics against writing off one of Indian cricket’s most gifted players on the back of a single setback.

Addressing the criticism surrounding the T20 World Cup snub, Harbhajan called for patience, insisting that Gill’s omission was more a reflection of competition and squad flexibility rather than a judgment on his ability.

“It is not a signal for Gill. He was not taking his place for granted, but the competition is so tough that there are many players who can take that slot and perform well for the team. This is not the end of the road for him,” Harbhajan told PTI.

“He is a great player with beautiful technique. I believe he will make a brilliant comeback, and we should not forget that he is still the Test captain,” he added.

The former off-spinner also highlighted the explanations provided by the leadership group, suggesting that the decision was driven by team balance rather than form.

“I was listening to Ajit Agarkar and Captain Suryakumar. They were saying that Gill was excluded because of the combination. They must have taken the call depending on the conditions and the combination,” Harbhajan remarked.

While he has been sidelined from T20Is, Shubman Gill remains central to India’s plans in ODIs and is set to rejoin the squad for the three-match series against New Zealand, slated to start on January 11 in Baroda.

The 26-year-old has also committed to playing domestic cricket, making himself available for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He is expected to turn out for Punjab in the first week of January before joining the ODI squad.

For now, Gill’s T20I journey may be on pause but Harbhajan remains unequivocal in his backing for the Punjab lad.

“Gill is a class player. There is no doubt about it. He will make a great comeback,” Harbhajan said.