Shubman Gill on T20 World Cup Exclusion: ‘What Is Written in My Destiny Cannot Be Taken Away’
Vadodara, Jan 10 (PTI): India’s ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill on Saturday said he respects the selectors’ decision after being left out of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup squad, adding that he remains focused on giving his best whenever an opportunity arises.
The 26-year-old, who leads India in the longer formats, was not included in the T20 World Cup team scheduled to begin on February 7. Gill has featured in 36 T20 Internationals, scoring 869 runs at an average of 28.03 and a strike rate of 138.59.
“I am where I have to be and whatever is written in my destiny no one can take that from me,” Gill told reporters ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday.
Gill Respects Selectors’ Call
Gill said that every cricketer aspires to represent the country in all formats, but ultimately respects the selection process.
“A player always believes he will try his best for the country and the selectors have taken their decision. I try to stay in the moment, and it makes life simpler,” he said.
India are set to play three ODIs followed by three T20Is against New Zealand, serving as preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Fond Memories Against New Zealand
Reflecting on the series, Gill recalled his debut against New Zealand in the ODI format.
“The last time we played ODIs against New Zealand, I made my debut and I always cherish that,” he said.
Gill also dismissed the notion that any format of the game is easier than the other.
“No format is easy. The Indian team hasn’t won an ODI World Cup since 2011. Every format demands effort, discipline, and determination,” he added.
Injury Setback and Comeback
Gill had missed the second Test against South Africa and the subsequent ODI series in November due to a neck injury sustained during the opening Test in Kolkata, which required hospitalisation.
“It’s never easy to miss matches and watch the team play from the sidelines. As a captain, you want momentum and continuity,” he said.
Focus on Preparation and Transitions
Emphasising the importance of preparation, Gill highlighted the challenges of transitioning between formats.
“In the last two Test series, we didn’t have enough time to prepare. Preparation is very important for me, especially when switching from white-ball to red-ball cricket,” he said.
Gill added that having adequate preparation time can make a significant difference in performance, particularly in home and overseas series.
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