Gill’s omission has raised eyebrows, especially as the Indian Test and ODI captain enjoyed an impressive IPL season. Leading the Gujarat Titans, he amassed 732 runs at a strike rate of 163.02, including six fifties and a century, underlining his dominant form in the shortest format.
However, according to a BCCI source, the decision is part of a broader workload management strategy aimed at keeping Gill fresh for key assignments, particularly the 2027 ODI World Cup, where he is expected to play a central leadership role.
“The selectors are concerned that there shouldn’t be a burnout case with Gill. The communication is clear that he needs to be fit for these two ICC assignments. Plus, he will play the IPL where he leads the Gujarat Titans,” a BCCI source told Hindustan Times.
India are scheduled to play 35 ODIs leading up to the World Cup, making workload management a key priority. Gill’s recent injury history also appears to have influenced the decision—he previously suffered neck spasms during the first Test against South Africa in November 2025, which forced him to miss the second Test and subsequent ODI series.
“There is still a lot of time left for the two marquee T20 events in 2028. For Gill, the focus is on the immediate future. Two years from now, no one knows which player will be in what form or fitness. So this is the plan till the 2027 ODI World Cup,” the source further added.
Gill also showcased his red-ball credentials with a fluent 126 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, marking his 11th Test century and sixth as captain, further strengthening his reputation as a key figure in India’s long-term plans.
