Indiadefeated New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026to lift their record third T20World Cup.Sanju SamsonandIshan Kishanwere two of the star performers for India, with the former even winning the Player of the Tournament award for his three consecutive 80+ scores in the virtual quarter-final, semi-final and final. However, there could have been a chance that both of their spots in the playing XI could have been in danger, because of Shubman Gill. However, the contrasting opinions of head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selectorAjit Agarkarmight have actually played a part in the shape of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad that won the tournament.

Shubman Gill was the vice-captain of the Indian T20I side from the Asia Cup 2025 till before the T20 World Cup 2026, but he failed to score runs in this format. Despite this, Gautam Gambhir, wanted to go ahead with Gill in the squad for the mega tournament, according to a report by The Indian Express. However, Ajit Agarkar did not want Gill, and after much deliberation, the selectors ultimately dropped Gill and went for Ishan Kishan andRinku Singhin the lineup.

"Your opinion could differ from mine. We still think he's a quality player. Someone has to miss out, and it's him - not because he isn't good enough. Fortunately, Indian cricket has options," Agarkar had told the team management in the selection meeting.

Shubman Gill opening the batting had pushed Sanju Samson to the middle order, and ultimately the star wicketkeeper-batter was reduced to warming the bench. Had Gill played the World Cup, Samson might have warmed the bench again.

Ajit Agarkar also pushed for Ishan Kishan to be selected in the India squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 despite his past troubles - opting out of the South Africa tour in 2023, skipping domestic cricket, and losing out on the Central Contracts. This was mainly due to his good form in domestic cricket.

"He bats at the top in white-ball cricket. He has been in good form. He has played before for India. He wasn't in the team becauseRishabh Pantand Dhruv Jurel were ahead of him - two very good players. Nothing else," Agarkar had argued.

After Rohit Sharma retired post the T20 World Cup 2024, a new captain had to be selected for the shortest format. Hardik Pandya seemed the preferred choice. However, it was Ajit Agarkar who pushed for Suryakumar Yadav to become captain, as he pushed his fellow selectors to look beyond Pandya.

“One of the main issues discussed was that you want a captain who’s likely to play all the games. We think he is a deserving candidate," Ajit Agarkar had said when Suryakumar Yadav was first announced as T20I captain.

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Shaunak Ghosh is a Senior Sports Correspondent at Timesnownews with over seven years of experience in print and digital journalism. He holds a postgra...View More

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