Mumbai, Dec 20: All-rounder Axar Patel was named vice-captain to Suryakumar Yadav as India announced their 15-member squad on Saturday for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held at home, with opener Shubman Gill missing out.
Suryakumar will lead the side in the marquee tournament, while Axar’s appointment as deputy underlined his growing importance in the shortest format.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said Gill’s omission was based on form. “Shubman is short of runs at the moment, and he also missed the last T20 World Cup,” Agarkar said while explaining the decision.
The selectors, however, rewarded recent performances by naming Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh, both of whom have been in good touch in T20 cricket.
Agarkar said the squad was selected keeping current form and balance in mind as India look to maximize home conditions during the tournament.
The World Cup will be played across multiple venues in India later this year.
