The BCCI has announced a 15-man roster for the forthcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, as well as the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7 and will be hosted in India and Sri Lanka.

Kris Srikkanth, former India captain, said he was "very shocked" by India's decision to let go of vice-captain Shubman Gill for the T20 World Cup, admitting he did not expect such a daring choice from the selection committee.

However, while expressing his astonishment, Srikkanth praised the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel for selecting a "fantastic" 15-member squad, adding that Gill would have to wait for his turn in T20 cricket.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel dropped Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma to accommodate Ishan Kishan in the 15-member squad. Gill was brought back into the T20I fold during the Asia Cup after a year out and was also named the vice-captain of the side.

But Gill struggled at the top to gain momentum, scoring only 291 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of under 140. In addition, Gill’s inclusion meant that in-form Sanju Samson was moved from his opening position to the middle order and then out of the playing XI itself.

However, the BCCI selectors’ U-turn of dropping Shubman Gill and allowing Sanju Samson to open the innings was welcomed by Kris Srikkanth.

“I was very shocked. This is a superb selection. I didn't expect they would drop Shubman Gill. They made him the vice-captain. Even during the tour of Australia, he was the vice-captain. Yes, Rinku Singh was in the team, and Ishan Kishan wasn't even on the radar. But, fantastic selection, I should say. Well done, Ajit Agarkar and Team India selection team!” Srikkanth said on his YouTube show.

“In one-day cricket, he (Gill) is great. In tests, he scored truckloads in England. But in T20Is, he has been struggling. His strike rate is nothing compared to Ishan Kishan or anybody else. That's where Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson take over. Abhishek is a certainty, the No. 1 in the world. Sanju and Ishan add a wicketkeeper-opening batter combination,” Srikkanth added.

Srikkanth, who was part of the selection panel that picked India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad, also praised the BCCI selectors for recognizing domestic performances by including Ishan Kishan in the squad.

Kishan, who had last played for India in 2023, was included in the India squad thanks to his 46-ball century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Haryana in Pune. He has smashed 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44 and a staggering strike rate of 197.32.

“Ishan Kishan's pick is a fantastic selection. He scored runs in domestic cricket, and it means selectors are considering performances in domestic cricket. By sheer value of scores and performances, he has gotten back into the side. He didn't just score runs for himself; he ensured his team was winning. Well done, Ishan. I'm very happy for you. Don't forget, he vanished after scoring a double century (in ODIs). He was in the World Cup team,” Srikkanth stated.

Kishan will be the backup wicket-keeper and opener in the India squad for the T20 World Cup 2026.