I couldn’t believe it: Ricky Ponting on India not picking Shubman Gill in T20 World Cup squad
The cricketing world was left stunned when the Indian team announced its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, and one of the most notable omissions was that of young batting sensation Shubman Gill. The decision to leave Gill out of the squad has sparked a lot of debate among fans and experts, with many questioning the reasoning behind this move. Among those who have expressed their surprise at Gill’s exclusion is former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who recently spoke out about the decision.
Ponting, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket, said that he couldn’t believe India didn’t pick Shubman Gill in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. “I’m surprised, but…it just shows the depth of Indian cricket,” Ponting said. “If you can think that someone as good as Gill doesn’t get picked in World Cup squad…then it goes to show how many good players they have,” he added. These comments from Ponting highlight the high regard in which Gill is held by experts and fans alike, and raise questions about the selection process that led to his exclusion from the squad.
Shubman Gill has been one of the most exciting young players to emerge in Indian cricket in recent years. With his impressive technique and ability to score runs in a variety of conditions, Gill has quickly become a fan favorite and has been touted as a future star of the Indian team. His performances in domestic cricket and in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have been impressive, and many had expected him to be a part of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup.
The decision to leave Gill out of the squad is all the more surprising given his recent form and the fact that he has been a regular member of the Indian team in the lead-up to the World Cup. However, as Ponting noted, the depth of Indian cricket is such that even a player of Gill’s caliber can be left out of the squad. This is a testament to the strength and competitiveness of Indian cricket, where there are many talented players vying for a limited number of spots in the national team.
Ponting’s comments also highlight the challenges faced by the Indian selectors in choosing a squad for the T20 World Cup. With so many talented players to choose from, the selectors have to make some tough decisions, and sometimes these decisions can be surprising or even controversial. However, as Ponting noted, the fact that a player like Gill can be left out of the squad just goes to show the depth and quality of Indian cricket.
The exclusion of Shubman Gill from the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 has sparked a lot of debate and discussion among fans and experts. While some have expressed surprise and disappointment at the decision, others have defended the selectors’ choice, pointing out that there are many other talented players in the squad who can make a significant contribution to the team’s success.
As the T20 World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on the Indian team and how they perform in the tournament. While the exclusion of Shubman Gill may have been a surprise, the team still has a lot of talented players who can make a big impact. As Ricky Ponting noted, the depth of Indian cricket is one of its greatest strengths, and this will be on display as the team takes on the best teams from around the world in the T20 World Cup.
In conclusion, the decision to leave Shubman Gill out of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 has sparked a lot of debate and discussion among fans and experts. While some have expressed surprise and disappointment at the decision, others have defended the selectors’ choice, pointing out that there are many other talented players in the squad who can make a significant contribution to the team’s success. As Ricky Ponting noted, the depth of Indian cricket is one of its greatest strengths, and this will be on display as the team takes on the best teams from around the world in the T20 World Cup.