Shubman Gill may already be carrying the responsibility of leading India in Tests and ODIs, but the Gujarat Titans skipper has made it clear that his ambitions in international T20 cricket are far from over. Ahead of the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gill opened up about his desire to return to India’s T20I setup, insisting that he remains focused on improving his game rather than worrying about selection debates.
The 26-year-old has not represented India in T20 Internationals since the home series against South Africa in December 2025. A disappointing run in the format saw him lose his place in the squad, and he was subsequently overlooked for the ICC T20 World Cup, where India successfully defended their title.
Despite being out of the shortest-format setup, Shubman Gill remains optimistic about his future and believes the best way forward is to continue working on his skills across formats. “I’d be happy to play if I get picked for the T20 team,” Gill said. “Honestly, I want to keep working on my game. I want to keep getting better as a T20 batsman, as an ODI batsman, as a Test batsman.”
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Gill’s struggles in T20Is during 2025 played a significant role in his omission. Across 15 matches, he scored 291 runs at an average of 24.25 and failed to register a single half-century, with a highest score of 47. Since then, competition for places in India’s T20 side has become even more intense. Sanju Samson strengthened his position with an impressive T20 World Cup campaign, while Abhishek Sharma has continued to establish himself as one of India’s most exciting white-ball batters.
🔴 SHUBMAN GILL SPEAK ON COMEBACK IN T20 FOR INDIA🤯
🎙️: “I’d be happy to play if selected for T20 team, but my main focus is improving my game in all formats. Cricket is a game where perfection is impossible, but I always strive to get best. 🔥pic.twitter.com/YnwKgkCJSk
— Sam (@cricsam02) May 31, 2026
The emergence of Rajasthan Royals sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has further increased the competition after the 15-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking IPL 2026 season, scoring 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.31. With so many players pushing for opportunities, a return to the Indian T20 side will not come easily. However, Gill remains committed to controlling what he can and allowing performances to speak for themselves.
“You know, cricket is such a game that you can never really get perfect, but obviously, you can strive for it, and that’s what I try to do,” he explained. The Gujarat Titans captain enters the IPL 2026 final in outstanding form. He has amassed 722 runs this season at an average of 48.13 and a strike rate of 163.72, playing a crucial role in guiding GT to their third IPL final in five years.
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According to Shubman Gill, preparation has been the biggest factor in maintaining both form and mental clarity throughout the season. “I think preparation is what keeps me mentally fresh, knowing what I need to do the next week, next couple of weeks, or in the next series or tournament, and preparing for that. It’s about understanding the things that are in my control and focusing on what I need to do well, both individually and as a team. That’s what keeps me mentally fit.”
As Gill prepares for another IPL final, his message is clear: the dream of returning to India’s T20 side remains alive, but his focus remains firmly on performance, preparation, and continuous improvement.
