Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill (ANI Image)
Shubman Gill may currently be leading India in Tests and ODIs, but the Gujarat Titans captain has not given up on a return to the national T20I team.Speaking ahead of the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gill said he remains focused on improving his game even though he finds himself left out of India’s plans in the shortest format.The 26-year-old last played for a T20 International during India’s home series against South Africa in December 2025. After a difficult run in the format, Gill was later left out of this year’s T20 World Cup squad, as India successfully defended their title.However, the opener insisted that his ambition to represent India in T20Is remains.“I will be happy to play if I am selected for the T20 team.”Rather than focusing on issues of selection, Gill said his focus remains on continuous improvement in all forms of the game.“Honestly, I want to keep working on my game. I want to keep improving as a T20 batsman, as an ODI batsman, as a Test batsman.”Gill endured a disappointing run in T20 Internationals last year. Over 15 matches in 2025, he managed just 291 runs at an average of 24.25, with a highest score of 47.
These struggles eventually led to him losing his place in the team amid intense competition for the opening positions.Since then, India’s T20 batting depth has become stronger. Sanju Samson has cemented his place with an impressive T20 World Cup campaign, while Abhishek Sharma has continued to bolster his credentials. The emergence of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has heated up the competition after Rajasthan Royals smashed 776 runs this IPL season with a staggering strike rate of over 237.Despite the challenge that lies ahead, Gil remains committed to improving his game.“You know, cricket is a game where you can never achieve perfection, but obviously you can strive for it, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”The Gujarat skipper reaches the Indian Premier League final in excellent form. He has amassed 722 runs this season at an average of 48.13 and a strike rate of 163.72, including a brilliant 104 off 53 balls in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals.Gill said staying focused on preparation rather than outside discussions helped him stay mentally fresh throughout the season.“I think preparation is what keeps me mentally fresh, knowing what I have to do next week, next two weeks or in the next series or next tournament, and being ready for that.”According to Gill, clarity on controllable factors is key to dealing with the pressures that come with international cricket.“It’s about knowing the things that are in my control or knowing the things that I need to do well to be able to succeed and what we need to do well as a team to be able to succeed is what I think keeps me mentally fit.”While a return to the T20I setup for India may not be immediate given the competition for places, Gill’s performance in IPL 2026 has at least reopened the conversation. With another opportunity awaiting in the final, the Gujarat Titans skipper will look to further strengthen his status with the bat.