Mumbai: Opener Shubman Gill has been released from the Indian squad along with fast bowler Avesh Khan, while the two other travelling reserves — Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed – have stayed back as Rohit Sharma’s men completed the US leg of the T20 World Cup and travelled to the West Indies for the Super Eight and knockout stages.
The buzz in social media was that Gill was sent back to India for ‘disciplinary issues.’
However, batting coach Vikram Rathour put the rumours to bed, saying that sending back Gill and Avesh was a pre-decided move by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) before the team had left Indian shores for the World Cup.
“This was a plan from the beginning. When we come to the US, four (reserve) players will come together. After that two will be released and two will travel with us to the West Indies. This was planned since the team was selected, we are just following that,” Rathour explained.
Gill himself, who must have been disappointed to miss out on a berth in the XV-member squad, decided to respond to the rumours with a cheeky post on social media.
Gill posted an Instagram story featuring Team India captain Rohit and his daughter Samaira.
The picture, featuring Rohit, his daughter and himself, had a caption which read: “Sammy and I learning the art of discipline from @rohitsharma45.”
India topped Group A with wins over Pakistan, USA and Ireland while their game against Canada was washed out totally.
India will face Afghanistan in their first match of the Super Eights on June 20 in Bridgetown.
