Overview:
Panesar indicated that the move reflected head coach Gautam Gambhir’s preference for leaders who bring versatility and balance to the team.
According to former England spinner Monty Panesar, Indian cricket may be thinking several steps ahead when it comes to leadership in the T20 format, with Axar Patel viewed as a potential future captain. As India gear up to co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka, recent selection choices have drawn attention to possible long-term plans within the team. These developments have prompted fresh discussion about who could take over the reins if Suryakumar Yadav steps away from the role following the tournament.
Speculation increased following Shubman Gill’s omission from India’s T20 World Cup squad and Axar Patel’s reappointment as vice-captain. With Gill previously considered a likely successor to Suryakumar, the decision became one of the most discussed outcomes of the selection meeting held in Mumbai on December 20. In his remarks to KADAK, Panesar indicated that the move reflected head coach Gautam Gambhir’s preference for leaders who bring versatility and balance to the team.
“I believe that’s the thinking, because Gautam Gambhir has always leaned toward all-rounders. Whether it’s Test cricket or T20s, he values players who can chip in with both batting and bowling,” Panesar said.
Axar Patel’s journey in India’s leadership group has progressed step by step. He initially took on the T20I vice-captaincy during the 2025 series against England while Shubman Gill was not in contention. Gill later stepped into the role after rejoining the T20 side, but for the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, the selectors once again chose Axar, suggesting a change in the team’s long-term leadership outlook.
Shubman Gill’s absence from the squad was driven by performance concerns as well as team composition. His tally of 291 runs across 15 T20Is, averaging 24.25 with a strike rate just above 137, did not meet India’s requirement for high-impact starts at the top, leading selectors to take a firm call and adjust the leadership structure.