Amidst India’s T20 World Cup group stage conclusion, following a washout against Canada, controversy brewed in the background, as Shubman Gill and Avesh Khan were released from the reserve squad.
Many in social media, speculated that Gill’s removal from the reserve squad was due to ‘disciplinary issues.’
As, according to several media reports, Gill has hanging out in New York and Lauderhill, even though the Indian squad were busy practicing in the nets.
But recently, Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour, has refuted the rumours regarding Gill’s removal, saying it was pre-planned.
According to the Indian coach, the management decided before the tournament that only two reserve players would accompany the team on the Caribbean tour.
Speaking during the press conference, Vikram Rathour said, ‘This was a plan from the beginning. When we come to the US, four players will come together. After that two will be released and two will travel with us to West Indies. So, this plan was made from the beginning since the team was selected. This was planned so we are just following that’.
Later, discussing the India-Canada washout match, Rathore emphasized that the decision was made in the best interest of both teams. But he admitted that they would have preferred to have a good practice match ahead of the super-8 stage.
Meanwhile, India will face Afghanistan in the beginning of the super-8 stage on June 20 in Barbados on Thursday. The remaining reserve players Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed will be with the team.