Pujara warns of ‘fired-up’ Shubman Gill in IPL 2026 after T20 World Cup snub: ‘If he has a good season, he’ll…'

Cheteshwar Pujara believes the upcoming IPL season could play a defining role in Shubman Gill’s T20I future with the Indian team.

Updated on: Mar 21, 2026, 16:22:40 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes Shubman Gill will feel the heat to force his way back into the T20I side, using the upcoming IPL season as his platform. Despite being India’s captain in Tests and ODIs, Gill missed out on the T20 World Cup squad at the last moment, with the team management opting for a different top-order combination.

Shubman Gill was left out of the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. (AP)

However, Gill’s IPL record leaves little doubt about his ability. Over the past few seasons, he has been a key figure for Gujarat Titans, not just as a batter but also as a leader. Since 2020, he has consistently delivered, registering 400-plus runs in multiple campaigns. With that level of consistency behind him, the focus will now be on converting those performances into a strong case for a T20I return as his strike rate will be under the scanner, especially with competition for top-order spots only getting tougher.

Pujara believes the upcoming IPL season could play a defining role in Gill’s T20I future, suggesting the snub from the World Cup squad may serve as the perfect motivation for the young skipper to make a strong statement.

“The T20 World Cup squad snub will definitely fire up Shubman Gill. He is a quality player suited for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will surely put his name in India's T20I squad. He is leading the Test squad and is also the ODI captain. He is a multi-format player. If he has a good season, he will be back in the scheme of things for the Indian team," Pujara said on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan – Know Your Team’.

Also Read - KKR’s pace crisis deepens as another Indian pacer joins Harshit Rana on sidelines ahead of IPL 2026

"There will be some pressure on Shubman Gill"

Pujara also pointed out that while Shubman will feel the pressure of being out of India’s T20I setup, the upcoming IPL offers him the ideal stage to fine-tune his approach, lift his strike rate, and prove he can meet the demands of the shortest format.

"There will be some pressure on him because he has not been part of the India squad in the shortest format. But at the same time, it is a great opportunity for him to carry on batting the way he has. He needs to try to accelerate a little more because that is something he has been working on. This IPL season is the perfect one for him to show he can bat at a strike rate of 150 to 160,” Pujara added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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