Shubman Gill, the Gujarat Titans captain, said he still hopes to return to India’s T20I side even as he currently leads the national team in Tests and ODIs. Speaking before the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gill said his main priority is to keep improving across all formats rather than focus on selection talk. The 26-year-old last played a T20 International against South Africa in December 2025 and was later omitted from India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup after a difficult run in the format. Despite that setback, Gill made clear that his ambition to represent India in T20Is remains strong.
Gill said he would be happy to play if selected, but stressed that constant improvement is his real goal. He described cricket as a sport in which perfection is never fully possible, but said he continues to strive for it. His comments come at a time when India’s T20 batting options have become even more competitive. Sanju Samson has strengthened his case with strong performances, Abhishek Sharma has continued to grow as a top-order option, and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has added another exciting name to the mix after a sensational IPL season for Rajasthan Royals.
Gill’s own T20I record in 2025 was underwhelming. In 15 matches, he scored 291 runs at an average of 24.25, with a highest score of 47. Those numbers, combined with the rise of other openers, contributed to his omission from the national side. Even so, Gill appears determined not to let the setback define him. He said he wants to keep working on his batting in every format, including T20Is, ODIs and Tests.
The Gujarat Titans skipper arrives at the IPL final in outstanding form. He has scored 722 runs in IPL 2026 at an average of 48.13 and a strike rate of 163.72, including a superb 104 off 53 balls in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals. His strong season has revived discussion about his international future in the shortest format.
Gill also said mental freshness has come from focusing on preparation rather than outside noise. According to him, knowing what he needs to do in the coming weeks or series helps him stay sharp and calm. He added that success depends on understanding what is in his control and what the team needs to do well.
While a quick return to India’s T20I side is not guaranteed because of the heavy competition, Gill’s current IPL form has reopened the conversation. With the final still to come, he has one more chance to reinforce his case with another big performance.
