Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has said that Ajit Agarkar should be given full marks for the team that he and his committee picked for the upcoming T20 World Cup, adding that although he felt bad for Shubman Gill, who didn’t find a mention, the youngster would get more chances.
Agarkar and his selection panel announced a 15-member team that excludes the likes of Gill and Jitesh Sharma and the same squad will play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led side comprises players who have been regulars in the T20I setup in recent times. The standout talking point, however, was the surprise inclusion of Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh, rewarded for their red-hot form on the domestic circuit.
“The team is really good.
I had told that Ajit should be given 10/10 for the team. I felt a little bad for Shubman, but he will get more chances soon. All the players are match winners in their own right,” Harbhajan said while speaking to ANI.
#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
“Suryakumar hasn’t made many runs, but when the WC comes, we will need big players to fire. He will shine bright in that big match. Abhishek (Sharma) can win you matches on your own,” Harbhajan said.
Suryakumar endured a woeful 2025, managing just 218 runs in 19 innings at a dismal average of 13.62 and a strike rate of 123.16. He finished the year on a low after a forgettable home series against South Africa, adding further pressure ahead of a crucial phase in his career.
