Gill learnt about exclusion hours before announcement

Shubman Gill learned about his exclusion from the Indian T20 squad on Saturday afternoon, a little ahead of the formal announcement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) around 2 pm. The Twenty20 World Cup squad, along with the team for the preceding New Zealand series, was named by the selection committee in the BCCI office, and Gill was surprised to find himself left out.

Sources said Gill had left Ahmedabad on Saturday morning and was on his way home to Chandigarh when the news was broken to him. It is understood that he received a call, though it is not clear who actually called him.

The news, it is learnt, came as a surprise, as Gill had apparently been mentally preparing for both the World Cup and the New Zealand series. In fact, sources have revealed that he had been gearing up to play the fifth and final T20I against South Africa on Friday.

He had a niggle in his right foot that ruled him out of the abandoned fourth T20I in Lucknow. However, he was prepared to play the fifth and final match, even if it meant taking painkillers, but was advised against risking an aggravation of the injury with the World Cup ahead.

Announcing his injury, the BCCI said, "Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right foot while batting in the nets on December 16 in Lucknow. After consulting a specialist and receiving treatment from the BCCI medical team, he is improving."

Sanju Samson played in his place in Ahmedabad and has since emerged as India's first-choice partner for Abhishek Sharma in the upcoming T20Is. Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batter, is the third opener in the squad.

Gill, now back home in Chandigarh, will turn out for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before rejoining the Indian team for the three-match ODI series in early January. While the squad for the ODIs is yet to be announced, it is a foregone conclusion that Gill, who missed the three-match ODI series against South Africa earlier this month, will return as the captain.