Photo: Collected

MUMBAI, India, Dec 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Indian selectors dropped Test and ODI 
captain Shubman Gill on Saturday from the T20 squad for the World Cup in 
February after a prolonged form slump.

Gill, 26, has scored only 291 runs in his last 15 matches in the game's 
shortest format at an average of 24.25.

However, batter Suryakumar Yadav was retained as captain despite similar 
concerns over his form.

A T20 specialist, Suryakumar has managed just 244 runs across his last 22 
innings in the format, without a single fifty.

All-rounder Axar Patel was named as Suryakumar's deputy.

The same team will also play five home T20Is against New Zealand from January 
21, the last round of international matches before the World Cup.

The 10th edition of the tournament, which will be hosted by Sri Lanka and 
India, will feature 20 nations.

India are the defending champions, having beaten South Africa in a thrilling 
2024 final in Barbados.

World T20 squad:

Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Axar Patel (vice-capt) Abhishek Sharma, Sanju 
Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, 
Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington 
Sundar, Ishan Kishan.