Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The selection committee has asked Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill to prioritise red-ball and 50-over cricket through the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle, despite a fine 2026 IPL, so that he remains fresh for big assignments ahead.
On Saturday, T20 squads were announced for the UK Tour and Asian Games and the stylish Indian Test skipper wasn’t considered because he has two major ICC assignments on hand in a choc-a-bloc calendar.
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Gill scored 732 runs in the just-concluded IPL at a healthy strike-rate of 163 plus — his best over the seasons — but with Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the squad, it is difficult to slot in another quality top order batter.
“The selectors are concerned that there shoudn’t be a burn-out case with Gill.
The kind of calendar that Indian cricket team has for next 18 months, it is virtually impossible to remain fresh if one plays three formats.
“Gill has to lead India in nine WTC Tests and also play around 35 odd ODIs before the start of 2027 World Cup,” a BCCI source privy to developments told PTI.
“The communication is clear that he needs to be fit for these two ICC assignments. Plus he will play the IPL where he leads Gujarat Titans,” the source added.
While Gill is not in the T20 scheme of things as of now, he is expected to bounce back into contention before the start of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or the T20 World Cup in Australia.
“There is still a lot of time left for the two marquee T20 events in 2028. For Gill, the focus is on immediate future. Two years from now, no one knows which player will be in what kind of form and fitness. So this is the pla till 2027 ODI World Cup,” he added.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
