T20 World Cup 2026: Ashwin Foresees New Opening Duo For India

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Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a bold prediction about the future of Shubman Gill in India’s T20I team ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. According to Ashwin, major changes are coming to India’s opening combination as the tournament draws near.

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Currently, India’s T20I opening pair features Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. Abhishek, the left-handed powerhouse, has been in exceptional form. He sits at the top of the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings and recently achieved the highest-ever rating points for a T20I batter.

He also holds the record for being the fastest player to score 1,000 T20I runs. Cementing his position as one of the most explosive openers in world cricket. While Abhishek continues ...
... to give India flying starts, his partner, Shubman Gill, has not been able to replicate the same consistency.

Gill rejoined the T20I side before the 2025 Asia Cup, replacing Sanju Samson as opener. Since then, he has been given several opportunities at the top but has yet to score a single half-century. His form has raised questions, especially with other talented young openers waiting in line. Ashwin believes Yashasvi Jaiswal deserves another shot in the T20I setup.

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T20 World Cup: Ashwin Praises Jaiswal’s Strike Rate and Consistency in T20Is

The off-spinner argued that Jaiswal has already proven his worth and doesn’t need to do more in other formats to earn his place in T20Is. I don’t think Tests and T20Is should be linked. These are completely different formats and should be treated that way, Ashwin said.

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It’s important to acknowledge that Jaiswal has done everything required. He’s striking the ball at close to 160, especially in the power play, and his average is strong, too. He doesn’t need to score Test runs to get a T20I call-up; he’s already earned it.

Ashwin went on to describe Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal as India’s most aggressive openers right now, highlighting their fearless batting approach. He also compared Ruturaj Gaikwad to Shubman Gill, saying both are technically sound but more composed players rather than all-out attackers.

Abhishek Sharma and Jaiswal are the most aggressive openers in India at this point. If you want two attacking batters at the top, they’re your best bet, Ashwin explained. But if the team wants to balance aggression with calmness, a fire and ice combination, then Abhishek represents fire, while Shubman brings the ice.

In that case, Ruturaj Gaikwad is Shubman Gill’s closest competitor. Ashwin then made a striking prediction: by the time the T20 World Cup 2026 arrives, India’s opening lineup will not look the same.

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T20 World Cup Final: Gill, Jaiswal, and Gaikwad in Contention

He hinted that Abhishek might have a different partner in the tournament. As we move closer to the World Cup, I expect to see different opening pairs being tested, Ashwin said confidently. There’s going to be a change, not a small one, but a big one. I believe others will get their chances, and we might see a new combination emerge.

Meanwhile, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed concerns about the team’s overall fitness levels. As they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka early next year.

Ashwin Foresees New Opening Duo for India

Gambhir has emphasized the importance of physical conditioning and sharpness, suggesting that the current squad still has work to do in that area. Despite those concerns, Gambhir’s tenure as head coach has started impressively.

Under his leadership, Team India has yet to lose a T20I series. However, there were worrying signs during the recent tour of Australia, where India played what many described as a B team. Even though India managed to compete well, the series exposed a few weaknesses that the coaching staff will want to address before the global tournament.

With competition for opening spots heating up, the next few months promise to be crucial. Whether India sticks with Gill or turns to the in-form Jaiswal or Gaikwad could define their approach to the T20 World Cup 2026.

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