India, Jan. 20 -- Shubman Gill, the player groomed as the all-format skipper and seen as the T20 World Cup vice-captain-to-be, was surprisingly considered not fitting into the team formation for the title defence at home. If Gill felt snubbed, then skipper Suryakumar Yadav will feel the heat as he looks to find his form in the final warm-up T20 series against New Zealand.

Surya had spoken when the World Cup squad was picked about having two-three playing combinations in store. The hosts are expected to try them out in the five-match dress rehearsal that begins in Nagpur on Wednesday.

Gill lost his place to Sanju Samson. The aggressive wicketkeeper-batter, who warmed the bench through the 2024 winning run, is finally getting his due. Aft...