Team India’s T20 vice-captaincy strategy has come under scrutiny following Shubman Gill’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad, prompting the BCCI to reappoint Axar Patel as deputy to Suryakumar Yadav.

While several former players supported Gill’s omission based on form, ex-India cricketer Mohammad Kaif strongly criticised the selectors, calling the episode a case of “zero planning.”

Axar Patel was initially appointed vice-captain during India’s five-match T20I series against England earlier this year. However, when Gill returned to the squad, the role was handed to the young opener. Gill’s subsequent dip in form and eventual World Cup exclusion forced a U-turn, with Axar once again elevated to the leadership role.

Kaif questioned the selectors’ foresight, stating that the committee should have anticipated the final World Cup combination much earlier:

“The selectors knew there were better players available for the T20 format. By sticking with Gill, they made a mistake.”

He added that the time invested in Gill could have been better utilised in grooming players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, or Jitesh Sharma. Kaif also highlighted how the constant changes in leadership impacted Axar Patel’s development as a leader:

“Remaining vice-captain would have allowed Axar to gain consistent exposure to strategic discussions and team planning. If Suryakumar Yadav were to get injured, Axar would have been far more prepared. That opportunity was taken away from him.”

While agreeing that Gill’s omission was the right decision, Kaif criticised the delayed execution:

“You backed Gill until the very last moment and dropped him at the finish line. The decision is right, but it came far too late. It was wasted time disguised as strategy.”

Kaif concluded by pointing out that Gill’s prolonged poor run left selectors with no choice:

“When a player fails to score in 17 or 18 innings, pressure builds. Dropping a player is never easy, but this indecision cost the team valuable time and denied opportunities to players who were performing.”