After this snub, it looks difficult for Shubman Gill at this point to make a comeback to the T20 team with plenty of talented young players waiting in the wings.
India batter Tilak Varma on Saturday underlined the team management's push for a flexible batting order, saying most players are ready to bat anywhere depending on match situations.
When players select themselves, the selectors' job becomes delightfully simple. But did the Indian selectors have that luxury while picking the T20 World Cup squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup? asks K R Nayar.
The national selectors brought back wicketkeeper-batter Kishan along with Rinku Singh while dropping Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill who has been struggling in the T20 format.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir mounted a strong defence of the tough Eden Gardens pitch despite losing to South Africa in the first Test.
Skipper Shubman Gill acknowledged that the choice between a spinner and an extra seamer for the first Test against South Africa is nothing short of a "conflict".
In the chase, India lost Shubman Gill for a golden duck, while Marco Jansen got rid of Abhishek Sharma and India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, before Baartman broke the 35-run stand between Axar Patel and Varma.
India great Virat Kohli continued his push to regain his place as the best ODI batter while moving up to the second spot in the latest ICC rankings released on Wednesday.
Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel has expressed confidence in struggling opener Jake Fraser-McGurk, saying the Australian batsman has the potential to be a "game-changer" once he finds his rhythm.
The towering presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian ODI team can only help newly appointed captain Shubman Gill grow as a leader, said Axar Patel.
'I'll tell you one thing straight away, that trust me, these two guys are going to win matches in World Cup (in February-March) and in this series as well.'
Axar Patel's inclusive captaincy style has played a massive role in Delhi Capitals blazing start to this IPL season, reckons the team's assistant coach Matthew Mott.
Axar Patel was thrilled with his team's clinical performance, highlighting the importance of executing their plans in a dominant seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad
Delhi Capitals' new captain Axar Patel has emphasized a simple approach as the team sets its sights on winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) title.
IMAGES from the fourth T20I between Australia and India played in Carrara, Gold Coast on Thursday
With the T20 World Cup less than two months away, India would want their captain Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his rhythm sooner rather than later.
On one of India's most challenging surfaces in recent memory -- a dry, unpredictable turning track where every ball felt like an event, Temba Bavuma played one of the defining innings of his career.
'You saw Yashasvi Jaiswal start in the second innings, did you see the first three balls, the kind of shots that he attempted?'
Vice-captain Rishabh Pant said India's batters should have adapted to the challenge of playing on a tricky pitch at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Axar also patted fellow spinner Varun Chakravarthy (5/42) for coming up with a match-winning spell.
K L Rahul takes over the captaincy after regular skipper Shubman Gill missed the series because of a neck injury.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill is "ready to start" ahead of the first T20I against South Africa of the five-match series, which will take place on December 9.
India will look to overcome batting inconsistencies and finish the tour of Australia with authority when the two sides clash in the fifth and final T20 International in Brisbane on Saturday.
Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that India's new T20 approach isn't just about fearless batting, it's about all-round aggression.
Shubman Gill has been guilty of taking too much load on himself since his T20 comeback and the Indian team wants him to bat as freely as he does in the IPL, said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
Simon Harmer picked up four wickets as South Africa staged an incredible fightback to shock India by 30 runs in a low-scoring first Test match.
Jadeja reduces South Africa to 93/7 in second innings, India smell big win
Axar, who has led his state side Gujarat in 23 matches across formats, said he isn't one to lean heavily on analytics or prescribed captaincy templates.
Star spinner Kuldeep Yadav and all-rounder Axar Patel are likely to be promoted from Grade B to Grade A in the BCCI central contract list as the parent body is expected to announce the contracts for the 2025-26 season by the end of this week,
Not handing the ball to lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah to start the third day's play on a challenging Eden Gardens surface was "questionable", said the legendary Anil Kumble.
Gill back in full flow, Hardik opts out of practice ahead of SA T20I series
Images from the second T20 International between India and South Africa, at the PCA's New Chandigarh Stadium, Mullanpur.
'The No. 3 spot can't become a game of musical chairs.'
Rohit immediately knew the gravity of his mistake. He banged the ground in frustration, visibly furious with himself.
India's spinners took six wickets in a stunning fight back to rout Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20I on the Gold Coast on Thursday.
The lack of runs from captain Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy Shubman Gill remains a talking point.
Images from Day 1 of the first Test between India and South Africa, in Kolkata, on Friday.
'Make it a habit that this is how it's going to be under my captaincy.'
Rishabh Pant was ruled out for nearly three months after he fractured his foot during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July.
In all, Axar has led in 24 matches across all formats, winning 12, losing 10 and two matches ended in a draw.
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