India, Dec. 21 -- Not too many shocking revelations or decisions were expected from BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav's T20 World Cup squad announcement on Saturday afternoon. As a result, when it was revealed that the erstwhile opener and vice-captain Shubman Gill was not included in the squad, it felt like a real bombshell with regards to India's planning for their title defence in next year's tournament co-hosted with Sri Lanka.

Gill's exclusion headlined the squad announcement, but also caused a series of repercussions right through the lineup which indicates India's approach to the gameplan for the World Cup. Primarily, it all but certified that Sanju Samson would return to the opening batting...