Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has thrown his full support behind Ajit Agarkar and the national selection committee for the squad picked for the upcoming T20 World Cup, stating that the panel deserves “full marks” for backing match-winners. While Harbhajan admitted he felt disappointed for Shubman Gill, who missed out on selection, he believes the young batter’s time will come again very soon.

Agarkar and his committee named a 15-member squad that will also feature in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, opting to leave out notable names such as Gill and Jitesh Sharma. The squad largely reflects continuity, with most players having been regulars in India’s T20I setup over the past year.

However, the inclusions of Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh stood out, both earning recalls after producing consistent and impactful performances in domestic cricket. Speaking to ANI, Harbhajan praised the selectors for their clarity and conviction.

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“The team is really good. I’ve already said Ajit Agarkar deserves 10 out of 10 for this selection. I did feel a little bad for Shubman Gill, but he’s a quality player and will get more chances. Every player in this squad is a match-winner in his own way,” he said.

#WATCH | Dubai: On Indian cricketer Shubman Gill, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh says, “Shubman Gill was bound to make a comeback. I had no doubt that there was any question about Shubman’s return. I think Shubman Gill was left out only because of the T20 format and the… pic.twitter.com/RNkTia35TX

— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2026

Harbhajan Singh also backed captain Suryakumar Yadav despite his recent struggles with the bat. The Indian skipper endured a forgettable 2025, scoring just 218 runs in 19 innings at an average of 13.62, raising questions about his form ahead of the World Cup. However, Harbhajan remains confident in his big-match temperament.

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“Suryakumar hasn’t scored many runs lately, but tournaments like the World Cup bring out the best in big players. He will shine when it matters most. Abhishek Sharma, too, is someone who can win games single-handedly,” Harbhajan Singh added.

With a balanced squad and several in-form players, India will be hoping the selectors’ bold calls pay off on the world stage.