Former India great slams selection policy: “On what basis is Shubman Gill undroppable?”

Former India captain and ex-BCCI chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth has sharply criticized India’s recent T20I selection decisions, questioning the logic behind Shubman Gill’s appointment as vice-captain and its ripple effects on the team’s balance.

Speaking on his YouTube show Cheeky Cheeka, the 1983 World Cup winner argued that Gill’s elevation has effectively made him immune to being dropped, regardless of current form or team dynamics.

“They won’t drop Gill for the next three games. He’s now the vice-captain for the T20 World Cup, that’s already decided. They’ve even marked him as the future T20I captain,” Srikkanth said. “So they’re forced to play him, no matter what. Otherwise, on what basis has he been made vice-captain?”

Srikkanth warned that this leadership call has disrupted the team’s overall composition, leaving several players uncertain about their roles.

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“With Gill’s inclusion, the team balance is completely off. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma don’t have fixed spots, and Arshdeep Singh is missing out. The only silver lining is that the T20 World Cup will be held in India, so maybe they’ll get away with it,” he quipped.

At the center of Srikkanth’s frustration is the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has consistently impressed in both the IPL and international cricket. Despite his strong performances, the 23-year-old left-hander has been sidelined in recent selections.

“Yashasvi Jaiswal is just waiting around. He’s not even in the team,” Srikkanth pointed out. “India has plenty of talent like Abhishek Sharma, but if players like Jaiswal are given a run, they’ll grab the opportunity and make it count. He’s proven himself across formats and in the IPL — why isn’t he getting the same chances? Give him a proper run, and he’ll destroy bowlers at the top.”

Srikkanth’s comments highlight a growing concern that India’s selection process is being driven more by hierarchy than performance, potentially boxing the management into a corner ahead of the T20 World Cup. With the tournament set to take place on home soil, the pressure is mounting on the selectors and captaincy group to strike the right balance and field the best possible combination.