Shubman Gill in T20 World Cup 2026? Here’s How It Could Happen

Indian Cricket Team batter Shubman Gill was the unlucky name that missed out on the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He was the vice-captain of the side in the T20Is, but when the squad was announced, his name was not there.

Although, he was short on runs, not many expected him to get dropped for the T20 World Cup 2026. In this place, Ishan Kishan made a surprise comeback in the side, while Rinku Singh was also added to the team with Jitesh Sharma also facing an unfortunate snub.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, India will be locking horns with New Zealand in the five-match T20I series. The two teams will clash in the first game on January 21 and the series will be a great preparation for them for the ICC event.

Tilak Varma Ruled Out of IND vs NZ T20I Series

But ahead of the IND vs NZ T20I series, India have faced a massive blow. Star batter Tilak Varma has been ruled out of the series, as per multiple media reports. This also puts his participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 under a cloud.

Tilak Varma, who was in Rajkot with the Hyderabad team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, complained about the testicular pain. He was taken to the local hospital for the scans and was diagnosed with Testicular Torsion, for which he was advised to undergo surgery.

The surgery went well but he will take some time to recover. This means that he will miss the IND vs NZ series and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will have to name his replacement and also keep an eye on him for the T20 World Cup 2026.

Will Shubman Gill Play T20 World Cup 2026?

One of the players that will be under the radar of BCCI for Tilak Varma replacement can be none other than Shubman Gill. The Indian batter played the majority of T20Is for the side in 2025 and he would exactly know what to do if he makes a return in the team.

Shubman Gill has been grinding hard and would be hoping that he is picked as Tilak Varma's replacement. But several reports have claimed that he won’t he there as the BCCI isn’t looking at him in the T20Is anymore with him failing badly last year.

Gill, who made a return to the T20I setup ahead of the Asia Cup 2027, scored 291 runs in 15 matches in 2025 without scoring a single fifty-plus score. He averaged below 25 last year and the strike rate was also below 140, which didn’t work in his favour despite being one of the best batsmen in the world.

There have also been reports which have claimed that Shreyas Iyer might also be in the scheme of things. But, overall, Tilak Varma injury will act as a massive blow for India as he has been one of the best T20 batsmen in the world right now.

The T20I series between India and New Zealand will begin from January 21 in Nagpur and conclude on January 31 in Trivandrum. With the T20 World Cup beginning just a few days afterwards, it remains difficult for Tilak to make a comeback.