Vadodara: Left out of next month’s T20 World Cup, India’s ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill on Saturday said he respects the selectors’ decision and remains focused on giving his best whenever the opportunity arises.
The 26-year-old was not considered for next month’s T20 World Cup despite leading India in the longer formats. He has played 36 T20Is for India, scoring 869 runs at an average of 28.03 with a strike rate of 138.59.
“I believe that in my life, I am right where I have to be, and whatever things are written in my destiny, no one can take those things from me,” Gill told reporters ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand here on Sunday.
“I am where I have to be, and whatever is written in my destiny, no one can take that from me. A player always believes he will try his best for the countr,y and the selectors have taken their decision,” Gill said while speaking at the pre-match press conference.
India will take on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara.
“I always try to be in the moment, and it makes life simpler,” Gill said.
India will play three ODIs followed by three T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins on Saturday, February 7.
“The last time we played ODIs against New Zealand, I made my debut, and I always cherish that. I don’t think any format is easy. If you look at it, the Indian team has not won an ODI World Cup since 2011,” Gill said.
“It is easy to say, but no format is easy, and it requires a lot of effort and determination,” Gill added.
In November, the Indian batter missed the second Test against South Africa and the subsequent ODI series after sustaining a neck injury on the second day of the opening Test in Kolkata, a problem that required two days of hospitalisation.
