Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting expressed surprise over Shubman Gill's exclusion from India's T20 World Cup squad. Ponting acknowledged Gill's recent struggles in white-ball cricket but recalled his strong Test batting. He stated that Gill's omission highlights the significant depth of talent within Indian cricket, suggesting that if a player of Gill's caliber can be left out, it underscores the abundance of quality players available. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited team balance and combinations as reasons for the decision, noting that while Gill is a quality player, others were chosen based on squad needs.