'Focus On 2027 ODI World Cup, WTC': BCCI Sets Path For Shubman Gill; Drops Batter From T20 Squad

Mumbai: Shubman Gill, who set the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2026 on fire with his batting, did not find a spot in the Indian T20 squad for the tours of Ireland and England. The Gujarat Titans (GT) captain had established himself as one of the tournament's most successful batters by scoring 732 runs in the recent IPL season. Consequently, his return to the T20 team seemed certain, but the selectors chose a different path.

Now, the primary reason behind this decision has come to light. According to a report by the news agency PTI, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selection committee have devised a long-term strategy for Shubman Gill; under this plan, he has been advised to stay away from T20 cricket for the time being and focus entirely on Test and ODI cricket.

Tight Schedule for the Indian Team?

Shubman Gill is currently the captain of the Indian Test and ODI teams. Over the next year and a half, India is scheduled to play nine crucial World Test Championship (WTC) matches, while the team will also play approximately 35 ODI matches leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Given this, the selectors do not want Gill to suffer from physical and mental fatigue by playing all three formats continuously. The team management believes that keeping Gill fit and fresh is vital for India's future plans.

"The selectors do not want to overburden Shubman Gill with excessive cricket. He has to lead the Test and ODI teams. India has two major goals over the next two years—the WTC final and the 2027 ODI World Cup. Therefore, priority is being given to Gill's fitness and form," a BCCI official told the media on the condition of anonymity.

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle is considered crucial for the Indian team. To remain in contention for the final, India needs to win at least seven of its remaining nine Test matches. This means that in the coming months, Shubman Gill will shoulder a significant responsibility—not just as a batter, but also as a captain. Consequently, the selectors want his undivided attention to remain on red-ball cricket for now.

The BCCI's focus extends beyond just the WTC. The 2027 ODI World Cup is being viewed as the biggest mission for Indian cricket. Shubman Gill has delivered outstanding performances in ODI cricket over the past few years and is considered the face of India's future. Consequently, the board is working on a workload management strategy to keep him fit for the long haul. Selectors believe that Gill's best performances could play a pivotal role in helping India secure ICC trophies.

What is  Shubman Gill's T20 record?

Despite being out of the T20 International squad, Shubman Gill boasts an impressive record in T20 cricket. He scored 650 runs in IPL 2025, having previously proven his class by amassing 732 runs in the tournament. However, his performance for the Indian T20 team in 2025 did not meet expectations; he scored only 291 runs in 15 T20 International matches, leading to his exclusion from the squad.

Reports also clarify that the door to T20 cricket has not been shut for Shubman Gill. The BCCI believes that the 2028 T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics are still a long way off; for now, the priority is Test and ODI cricket. According to a source, "No one knows what form or fitness a player will be in two years from now. Therefore, the current plan extends up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Decisions regarding the period beyond that will be made based on the situation at the time."