Shubman Gill opens up on T20 World Cup’s exclusion amid IND vs NZ ODI series

India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill said he respected the selectors’ decision after he was left out of the T20 World Cup squad. Gill was the team’s vice-captain but had failed to grab his opportunity as an opener, failing to score a fifty in 2025. 

The right-hander had missed the last two T20Is against South Africa due to a foot injury, which he suffered in the nets ahead of the abandoned T20I in Lucknow. Gill scored just 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26 and thus found no place in the team.

“Obviously, as a player, you have a belief that if you play in the World Cup, you will win it for your team, for your country,” Gill said in the presser while reflecting on missing out on the T20 World Cup for the second consecutive edition. “Having said that, I respected the selectors’ decision and am wishing the T20 team all the very best. I really, really hope that they win the World Cup for us.”

Gill said he wants to stay in the present to maximise his chances of succeeding at the top level.

“Being a sportsperson, it’s all about being in the present. The more present you are — even when you’re on the field — and the less you think about what might happen or what has already happened, the better your chances of succeeding,” he said.

“I try to focus on what I need to do now and what is important. The more we can stay in the present moment, the simpler life becomes. And when life is simpler, it’s a much more peaceful and happier space to be in.”

The Indian skipper also expressed his frustration after he was ruled out of the South Africa series due to a neck injury.

“It’s never easy,” he said. “When you’re injured, watching your team play and feeling like you’re missing out on games is difficult — especially when you’ve just been named the ODI captain. There are so many things you want to do, and when that opportunity is taken away, it’s definitely very frustrating.”

Gill won the toss against New Zealand in the first ODI and decided to bowl first.