Team India continues their dominating run in the One Day International format with two legends, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, in the playing XI. In Vadodara, New Zealand scored 300 runs, which was a competitive total on a ground that was easily chased down by the Men in Blue. Thanks to the fantastic works done by the top and middle order. 

While Virat Kohli was named Man of the Match for playing a 93-run knock, Rohit Sharma won cricket lovers' hearts with his elegant pull shot. During Rohit Sharma's 26-run innings against 29 balls, there was a pull shot that stole the show instantly. All cricket fans are praising the elegant shot from Sharma's bat.

Even ICC President Jay Shah, who was in attendance, also couldn't resist clapping after seeing the pull shot. Rajiv Shukla was also there to witness the mesmerizing scene. Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team selection head, Ajit Agarkar, was also present in Vadodara to watch the match. Ajit Agarkar's reaction to Rohit's fours and sixes is going viral on social media platforms.

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Watch Ajit Agarkar's reaction after Rohit Sharma's pull shot

Reaction of Agarkar after Rohit's Pull Shot 😭🤣 pic.twitter.com/rNXOILtfik

— P (@AreRohitBhai) January 12, 2026

Rohit Sharma played an innings of 26 runs in 29 balls, which included 2 sixes and 3 fours. With this brief innings, Rohit became the opener with the most sixes in ODI cricket history. Rohit has hit 329 sixes as an ODI opener, surpassing West Indies' Chris Gayle (328) in this regard.

In the IND vs NZ 1st ODI at the BCA Stadium, New Zealand, batting first, scored 300 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Their openers, Devon Conway, scored 56 runs, and Henry Nicholls scored 62 runs. From the middle order, another experienced batter, Daryl Mitchell, struck 84 runs. In response, India won the match in 49 overs with 4 wickets remaining. Virat Kohli top-scored for Team India with 93 runs, while Shubman Gill contributed 56 runs. Shreyas Iyer also scored 49 runs.

The omission of Shubman Gill is no less than a mystery for many Indian cricket fans, as he was the vice-captain of India's T20I squad during the India vs South Africa series, and he had been positioned as the next big thing in Indian cricket.

Gill, still the captain of the Test and ODI teams, suddenly found himself out of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. After the squad announcement, there are multiple theories on social media platforms regarding the snub of Shubman Gill. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a shocking claim has emerged.

During a group discussion on a social media platform, it was claimed that it was the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, who pushed the top-order batter into the T20I squad. Did Agarkar and Gill gain the support from the captain, Suryakumar Yadav? As of now, there is no confirmation regarding this. The unconvincing batting of Gill in this particular format could be a reason behind his exclusion ahead of the ICC's elite tournament.

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Ajit Agarkar pushed Shubman Gill into T20I team? Watch the discussion

Surya never wantes Shubman Gill in the T20i team. Gill was forced into the team by Ajit Agarkar. Surya always wanted Sanju to Open. You can see how he replied to press before asia cup and after 5th T20i against South Africa - TOI Sports pic.twitter.com/TyhlOzkE2k

— 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗨 (@Brutu24) December 26, 2025

According to stats, in the year 2025, the right-handed batter produced only a batting average of 24.25, which is his lowest batting average in three years. He performed in 15 matches and 15 innings and scored only 291 runs in total with a strike rate of 137.26. In this year, Gill has produced zero centuries and half-centuries in T20 Internationals. 

In India, his all-time T20I stats are also not very eye-soothing. If he observed the numbers of Gill in the Twenty20 International format in 2025, there are enough reasons for the selection panel to put him outside the T20I squad.

Shubman Gill's T20I stats in 2025 in brief:

With the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 done and dusted, the focus has shifted back to the upcoming 2026 season of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. There is still some time for the competition, which is scheduled to begin from February 07 and run till March 08, where the Blue Brigade will be entering as the defending champions for the second time.

The event is taking place as the head of the selectors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ajit Agarkar, will announce the squad for the event on December 20 at 1 p.m. at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. This means it will also be the same squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series at home against New Zealand.

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Generally, a team will need to announce its squad at least a month before the start of the World Cup, which, for this edition, happens to be January 07. But the Indian side doesn’t have any game between December 20 and the third week of January in the shortest format.

India to announce T20 World Cup 2026 squad on December 20

This has led them to the decision of announcing the squad as the defending champions are unlikely to make any massive changes in the squad, unless a last-minute injury arises. Along with Agarkar, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is also expected to be present during the press conference.

Under the leadership of Suryakumar, India hasn’t lost a single T20I series, including the ongoing one against South Africa at home, which they were leading by a 2-1 margin, heading into the fifth clash of the event at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India will be a little concerned with their vice-captain, Shubman Gill’s form.

In the bowling department, they are fully sorted with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh being the two first-choice bowlers, with Harshit Rana being the back-up option. Among the spinners, they have the two quality spinners of the T20I format- Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.

India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill may have to wait a few months before he can return to action. He has a neck injury that is said to be more serious than it looked at first. Gill seemed to worsen the injury while batting on Day 2 of the first Test between India and South Africa in Kolkata. He faced only three balls before he was retired hurt. After that, he was taken on a stretcher to a local hospital. He stayed there for one day for observation and was then discharged.

Now, several reports say that Gill may miss the rest of 2025 because he has a nerve injury. He has been given an injection to help reduce the symptoms.

The 26-year-old left the Kolkata hospital wearing a neck brace. He still travelled to Guwahati with the India Test squad for the second match that started on Saturday morning. However, he was not selected in the playing XI, as he was ruled out on the eve of the match.

Gill flew to Mumbai to meet spinal injury specialist Dr. Abhay Nene. His medical report has been sent to BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

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Gill Has a Nerve Injury

According to a report in The Times of India, Gill has a nerve injury. The team management does not want to rush his return because the T20 World Cup will be held in February–March next year. It is possible that Gill will not play again in 2025. He may return for the New Zealand series starting on January 11 next year.

When Will Gill Start Rehab?

Before starting rehab, Gill must take complete rest. It is unlikely he will be available for the five-match T20I series against South Africa. India will also play South Africa in three ODIs from November 30 after the Test series ends.

A BCCI source told PTI that “Gill has been given an injection to reduce his symptoms and will need a period of rest before starting rehab, training, and skill work. There is also a chance he may miss the T20I series.”

In the meantime, while a part of Indian cricket fans are showing their displeasure with the Chairman of the BCCI selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, a massive update has come. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is likely to become the next person to grace the chair. 

Ajit Agarkar's current tenure as the BCCI's Chairman of the Selection Committee runs until June 2026. He was appointed to the role in July 2023, and his contract has been extended for another year from its original end date in 2025. During this time period, Team India emerged as the winners of the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. 

Despite these notable successes, a part of Indian cricket fans are furious over him because of some controversial player selection decisions. Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir also has been facing criticism from the fans for months now. 

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Ravi Shastri to become the Chief Selector after Ajit Agarkar?

According to the claims, Ravi Shastri can be the next chairman of the BCCI selection committee after Ajit Agarkar. Shastri, who is currently working as a commentator and cricket expert, was the head coach of Team India from 2017 to 2021. He was appointed in July 2017, and the contract was extended in 2019. After the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2021, his contract ended. 

Under this coaching team, India gained numerous successes, including winning the Test series in Australia (2018-19) for the first time, reaching the semi-finals of the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup, and winning the Asia Cup 2018. Shastri’s commanding presence in the dressing room played a crucial role in fostering belief and resilience within the team. During his cricket-playing days, Shastri won the historic 1983 World Cup. Shastri was a key player for India in this victorious campaign. He played a total of 5 matches in the tournament. 

When the Indian team was picked for the two-match home Test series against the West Indies, Karun Nair was removed from the national side after a poor show in the five-match away Test series against England in the United Kingdom. He returned in bad form during the series with 205 runs.

The BCCI chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, revealed that they expected a little more from Nair in England, as the 33-year-old also failed to make it into the India A squad for the forthcoming two-match red-ball series against the Proteas at home. After a 73 and eight against Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season opener, Karun crafted 174* against Goa on October 26.

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“There are certain goals that I’ve set for myself, which I wouldn’t want to talk about. But other than that, the primary goal would be to win games for the team. It’s quite disappointing (being dropped), but I know that I deserve to be there after the last two years (of domestic cricket) I’ve had. People might have their own opinions, but personally, my opinion is that I deserve a lot better.” Karun Nair expressed after the end of the clash.

Karun Nair breaks silence to slam Ajit Agarkar after Ranji Trophy 2025-26 century

The middle-order Indian batter didn’t hide his disappointment at being ignored by the national selection committee. Even though Nair didn’t address the issue of communication from the management, the veteran was determined not to give up.

“All I can do is keep scoring runs, that’s my job. There’s nothing much for me to say. I just keep telling myself that I deserve more than a series. That’s all I can tell myself, and not let that get into my head. All I want to do is to play for the country.” Nair addressed during the interaction.

“That’s the only target. If you’re not able to do that, the next thing would be to try to win games for the side I'm playing for. Few individuals in the team have had good conversations with me about how they feel, and that’s about it.” The Karnataka batter concluded.

The pile of emotions finally came out. After playing a classy 159-run knock against Chhattisgarh on a rain-affected day in a Ranji Trophy 2025 round two match, Ajinkya Rahane alleged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of 'no communication.'

Rahane can still feel the pain for not being selected for India’s Test tour to Australia in the 2024-25 season, where India performed poorly. During a recent interview, the experienced batter said that players like him who have passion for the red ball cricket deserve a chance to play for India. The 37-year-old believed that age is not a factor in performing in the highest order of cricket as long as a player himself can show the intent and passion for the game.

After the 159-run innings, Rahane said, "After 34-35 players are old. Players are always looking to do well. Players are always looking to give their best. And if someone is really passionate about playing red ball cricket. I think selectors should look into it. Because they come and watch the game. Every time it’s not about the performance. It’s about the intent and the passion and how you play with the red ball." 

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It was one of Rahane's most disheartening moments in his cricket career when he came to know the selectors did not choose him for the BGT series. 

Ajinkya Rahane alleged BCCI for poor communication

"In Australia, you see, Michael Hussey made his debut in his 30s. Still, he made runs. Experience matters in red ball cricket. I thought, personally, the Indian team needed me in Australia," he said. 

Recently, another star of India, Mohammed Shami, also made some explosive remarks on BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar. After taking 7 wickets for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy match against Uttarakhand, the pacer stated, "Let him say whatever he wants. You have seen how I bowled. It is all in front of your eyes." 

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir were spotted together ahead of the India vs Australia 2nd ODI match (IND vs AUS 2nd ODI). Ahead of the crucial match, the Indian team management arranged an optional training session. From there, glimpses of moments have been captured in camera lenses.

From a video, attached with the article below, viewers can see Agarkar and Gambhir were discussing deeply during the practice. They talked with other members and players of the squad as well. The main attractive point of the video is when Gambhir and Agarkar went to talk with another opener of the current squad, Yashasvi Jaiswal. The head coach and the chief selector talked for a while with the young opener.

This little moment caught many cricket fans' eyes, and there are speculations already started about Rohit Sharma's future in the team. After winning the Champions Trophy, the ongoing white-ball series in Australia is Sharma's first international assignment. Before the beginning of the series, BCCI announced that Shubman Gill would lead the side and Rohit would be in the squad only as a batsman.

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Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar talked with Yashasvi Jaiswal 

In the first match of the 3-match ODI series, Sharma and Gill both failed to impress with their batting work. It is now well established that the board has a huge amount of faith in Gill—he is now the captain of India's Test and ODI setup and vice captain of the T20I team. In the previous match in Perth, Rohit scored only 8 runs and was then dismissed. 

With the win, Australia is leading the three-match series by 1-0, and it makes the second match for India a do-or-die situation. Will Indian team management make any changes in their first XI? The question remains.

Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir in a long animated chat with backup opener #YashasviJaiswal after #RohitSharma walked off towards the team hotel. Is this the sign of the future?@CricSubhayan and @rohitjuglan discuss.@ThumsUpOfficial #AUSvIND #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QZ6aVvYgdm

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) October 22, 2025

Rohit Sharma didn’t enjoy his opening clash of the three-match series against Australia down under at the Optus Stadium in Perth. He opened his account with a single on the very first delivery of the clash before making a sweet drive against Josh Hazlewood for a boundary. Everything seemed fine and in rhythm till that moment.

But the opening batter of the Blue Brigade opener got an outside edge into the hands of the slip fielder as Josh Hazlewood squared him up. There was a point in the pre-match practice when Rohit walked off to the hotel while Ajit Agarkar had an animated chat with the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and the backup opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal. 

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It was perhaps a sign of the national side trying to look beyond into the future. Jaiswal, who made his 50-over debut earlier this year, scored 15 runs against England and has an impressive record in List A cricket with 1526 runs in 33 innings at an average of 53.62 and a strike rate of 85.97 with the help of five centuries and seven fifties.

Watch: Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar bring Yashasvi Jaiswal in animated chat before AUS vs IND Adelaide ODI

Jaiswal has earned massive success and respect in the longest format. The left-handed batter has accumulated 2428 runs in 49 innings at an average of 51.65 and a strike rate of 66.42 with the help of 12 half-centuries and seven centuries at the best score of unbeaten 214 runs against England.

Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir in a long animated chat with backup opener #YashasviJaiswal after #RohitSharma walked off towards the team hotel. Is this the sign of the future?@CricSubhayan and @rohitjuglan discuss.@ThumsUpOfficial #AUSvIND #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QZ6aVvYgdm

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) October 22, 2025

Rohit, on the other hand, has clubbed 11176 runs in 266 ODI innings at an average of 48.59 with a strike rate of 92.76, thanks to 32 centuries and 58 half-centuries at the best score of 264 against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Rohit may perhaps still open the innings against Australia in Adelaide and play the third clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney. But this conversation also means that perhaps they would look to Jaiswal for the next ODI series against South Africa at home.

India’s premier fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, featured in the first round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 for Bengal at the Eden Gardens against Uttarakhand. On his arrival in the city, he slammed the chief selector of the BCCI selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, for the pacer’s omission from the three-match ODI series against Australia down under.

Shami bowled with pace and good line and length in the first round of the competition and collected seven wickets in the game. That’s a positive sign for the Blue Brigade, who may want the pacer’s experience in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

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“Let him say whatever he wants. You have seen how I bowled. It is all in front of your eyes.” Shami revealed at the end of the third day’s play at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The right-arm pacer has picked up 206 wickets in 107 innings of the 50-over format at an average of 24.05 and a strike rate of 25.80 with the help of 10 four-wicket and six five-wicket hauls.

Mohammed Shami reacts to Ajit Agarkar’s comments on pacer’s snub from AUS vs IND ODI series

Shami featured in the Champions Trophy 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as they went on to win the title. A few days ago, during an interaction, Agarkar reckoned that they wanted Shami in the England series, but the veteran fast bowler wasn’t fully prepared for the trip.

“If Shami were here, I would give him an answer. If he is fit, why would we not have a bowler like Shami? I have had multiple chats with him. Over the last six to eight months, what we have found out is that he was not fit. If he stays fit over the next few months, the story might be different, but he was not fit to be picked for the England tour.” Agarkar mentioned.

India will play South Africa and New Zealand at home for their next home ODI series, which will produce more chances for Shami to return to the national side for the 50-over format.