Shubman Gill's bold stand on Mohammed Shami snub

Shubman Gill finally broke his silence over Mohammed Shami's snub from Team India's Test squad for the series against South Africa. The Indian skipper made it clear that though Shami is a class bowler, but the team also needs to back youngsters, who have been doing well in whites.

Ahead of the 1^st Test vs the Proteas, Gill said, "A bowler of his quality - there aren't many like him. But you also have to take into consideration the bowlers playing right now. You can't ignore the performances of someone like Akash Deep, or someone like Prasidh."

"Sometimes it's very difficult that players like Shami bhai, they have to miss. But It's important for us to know what series we are playing next and where we are playing and to plan ahead... You know what are the kind of fast bowlers who can give us the best chance, especially when you are in New Zealand or other foreign countries," he added while addressing the media.

And Gill’s not wrong. Every time Team India’s squad drops, the noise is always about who’s missing, and never about who’s earning their spot. Yes, Mohammed Shami is world-class and a proven match-winner. But the question isn’t how good he is, it’s who are you dropping to bring him back?

In home conditions, India is likely to go with just two pacers - Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, while 3 spinners will make the rest of the bowling line-up. Even if Shami made a comeback, he’d probably still be warming the bench. Meanwhile, the only other pacer in the squad is Akash Deep - raw, fearless, and hungry. He represents the next generation. And if we don’t back our next line now, when will we?

Let’s be honest - everyone loves nostalgia, but cricket isn’t a reunion show. It’s a relay. You pass the baton forward. And Gill’s message couldn’t be clearer - the team isn’t making emotional calls; they’re making strategic ones. Every decision is about giving India the best chance, not just today, but for the series ahead.

Maybe it’s time fans also stopped treating selection like a popularity contest. Sometimes, the toughest calls are the right ones.