Shubman Gill inclusion in the Indian squad for the upcoming continental tournament has sparked considerable discussion. Alongside his selection, he will serve as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy during the Asia Cup, which kicks off on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Earlier this year, Shubman Gill was named captain of India’s Test team following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format in May. He led the side admirably in the five-match Test series in England, securing wins at Edgbaston and The Oval while drawing the series 2-2.
Attention now shifts to T20I cricket as India gears up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Gill last featured for India in a T20I against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2024.
“Shubman is set to be a superstar who will take Indian cricket forward,” says Robin Uthappa on Gill’s inclusion in the national team
Former Indian batsman Robin Uthappa believes Shubman Gill’s selection in the Indian team goes beyond just cricketing reasons. In a video on his YouTube channel, Uthappa suggested that Gill’s inclusion has created challenges for Team India, but also highlighted the broader strategy behind it.
“This is another example of India backing a player who has superstar potential across all three formats,” Uthappa said. “The decision also considers commercial and marketing factors, which play a role in shaping the team’s approach.”
He added, “By bringing Shubman Gill into T20 cricket, they may have created some challenges for themselves. But in Indian cricket, every era has had its superstars, and the board has often supported certain players to strengthen the game. That tradition continues today.”
Uthappa further emphasized the importance of the business side: “Marketing and business considerations are part of the equation, which is why players like Shubman are included. The team wants superstars who can carry Indian cricket forward, and Shubman is clearly one of them.”
So far, Shubman Gill has played 21 T20Is, scoring 578 runs, including one century and three fifties, with an average of 30.42 and a strike rate of 139.27. His highest score is 126*, making him the youngest Indian to hit a century in all three international formats.
