'Shubman Gill has been dropped because Suryakumar Yadav is not making runs' - Former India batter makes huge claim ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Robin Uthappa explained that Shubman Gill was dropped from the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup because captain Suryakumar Yadav wasn't scoring too many runs and the selectors didn't want to carry two out-of-form players to the marquee event.

Shubman returned to India's T20 setup ahead of the Asia Cup in September and scored 291 runs in 15 innings since then in the shortest format. He averaged 24.25 and batted with a strike rate of 137.26. On the other hand, Suryakumar's T20I numbers in 2025 were even worse. The 35-year-old scored just 218 runs in 19 innings this year at a meagre average of 13.62 and a strike rate of 123.16.

However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee decided to retain their captain and showed the door to his deputy.

"With World Cup sides, you can carry up to one player who's not in great form; you can't carry more than that. That's probably it (he's been dropped because SKY is not making runs)," Uthappa said during a live session on his YouTube channel.

Uthappa believes that Shubman didn't deserve to find a place in India's T20 World Cup squad. The 2007 T20 World Cup winner opined that the Punjab batter is lacking confidence and has been on the receiving end of excellent deliveries as well.

"I am not saying he [Shubman Gill] deserved to be there, given his current form and the fact he's not looking like he's in good nick. You can see his eyes. When you look at him, it feels like there's a lot of confusion, even when he's batting. He's getting some good deliveries. Lungi bowled really well through the series and troubled Shubman when he played."

Uthappa admitted that he was shocked after seeing the side picked by the selectors. However, he praised Agarkar and Co. for assembling a strong set of players who could defend the coveted title in the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup.

"I was shocked. I just came back home, and I was just spending time with the kids, and I was tired because I traveled late at night. I took a nap, and I woke up, saw my phone, and I was like, what? I was really happy. I think they picked a really solid side. But I think the way they've gone about it, and for me, it's not dropping people; it's about how you go about making these decisions," he stated.

You shouldn't have brought him in the first place as a vice-captain: Uthappa

When Shubman returned to the T20I squad during the Asia Cup, he was also named vice-captain. Uthappa feels that giving the 26-year-old a promotion wasn't necessary at the time.

"You shouldn't have brought him in the first place as a vice-captain. You can bring him in; you already have a vice-captain. Leave that as it is, or don't announce a vice-captain," Uthappa concluded.