India’s historic triumph in the T20 World Cup 2026 has drawn praise for head coach Gautam Gambhir, who guided the team with clarity and purpose in white-ball cricket. But behind the scenes, chief selector Ajit Agarkar played a crucial role in shaping the squad, taking tough decisions that ultimately paid off as India achieved what no other team has managed in the format.

While Gambhir led the team on the field, Agarkar’s selection strategy quietly laid the foundation for the campaign. His willingness to challenge traditional selection patterns and back bold calls became a defining factor in India’s successful run.

Bold calls that shaped the squad

One of the most talked-about decisions was leaving out Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup squad, despite him being India’s T20I vice-captain. The selectors instead chose Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh, a move that sparked debate among experts.

According to a report in the Indian Express, the Gautam Gambhir-led team management wanted Gill included, but Agarkar stood firm and said no. The Gambhir-led team management had supported Gill’s inclusion, but Agarkar stood by the selection committee’s decision. He reportedly told the management that while Gill remains a quality player, someone had to miss out because of the depth in Indian cricket.

Agarkar also made a strong case for Suryakumar Yadav to become India’s T20I captain after Rohit Sharma stepped away from the format. Many expected Hardik Pandya to take over, but Agarkar argued that the team needed a captain who was likely to feature consistently in every match. He shared with the Indian Express, "One of the main issues discussed was that you want a captain who is likely to play all the games," he said. "We think he is a deserving candidate."

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Backing players and pushing reforms

Agarkar’s approach also reflected pragmatism when Ishan Kishan’s return to the team was discussed. Despite past controversies surrounding his absence from the South Africa tour and issues with domestic cricket commitments, the selectors brought him back based on form and role in the side.

According to Agarkar, "He bats at the top in white-ball cricket. He has been in good form. He has played before for India," Agarkar explained. "He wasn't in the team because Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel were ahead of him - two very good players. Nothing else."

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Apart from squad decisions, Agarkar introduced several changes as chief selector, including holding press conferences after major selection announcements and encouraging players to return to domestic cricket to stay in contention.

After India’s World Cup triumph, Gambhir himself acknowledged Agarkar’s contribution and dedicated the victory to him, noting that the chief selector often faces criticism but has worked with honesty and conviction.

With India entering a new phase of success in white-ball cricket, Agarkar’s firm decisions are now being seen as key steps that helped shape the team’s path to dominance.