Shubman Gill, KL Rahul looking at each other during Naman Awards (Source:X)
The annual Naman Awards 2026 ceremony, organised by the BCCI, turned into a celebration of Indian cricket's recent success, with the historic triumph in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 taking centre stage.
While the event honoured several teams that won major ICC tournaments, one moment involving Shubman Gill and KL Rahul unexpectedly grabbed the spotlight and quickly went viral on social media.
Historic celebration at Naman Awards 2026
The Naman Awards ceremony celebrated India's remarkable year in international cricket. The event honoured the ICC Men's T20 World Cup-winning side led by Suryakumar Yadav.
India defeated New Zealand by a massive 96 runs in the final held in Ahmedabad on March 8. The victory was historic for several reasons. India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times, the first side to successfully defend the title, and the first team to win the tournament on home soil.
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Apart from the men's T20 team, the ceremony also recognised other Indian teams that recently lifted ICC trophies.
These included the women's Under-19 T20 World Cup team of 2025, the men's side that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, the senior women's team that claimed the ICC Women's World Cup in 2025, and the Under-19 men's team that won the ICC Under‑19 World Cup in 2026.
Shubman Gill and KL Rahul's reaction during BCCI Naman awards
During the ceremony, the T20 World Cup-winning squad was invited on stage to receive a special felicitation. As Harsha Bhogle began calling the players from the championship-winning team, cameras captured Shubman Gill and KL Rahul exchanging an awkward glance.
The moment stood out because neither of the two was part of India's squad for the tournament.
The brief exchange between the two players quickly caught fans' attention online, with many viewers sharing clips of the moment on social media.
Watch the video here:
Why Shubman Gill and KL Rahul were not in T20 World Cup squad
The absence of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul from the T20 World Cup squad had already generated discussion before the tournament began. According to reports, the selectors chose to prioritise a more aggressive and youthful batting lineup, particularly at the top of the order.
Shubman Gill was reportedly dropped due to inconsistent performances in T20Is. KL Rahul, meanwhile, was overlooked as the team management opted for players with more explosive batting styles.
India's impressive campaign at T20 World Cup 2026
India's road to the title was filled with dominant performances and dramatic moments. The team finished unbeaten in Group A, defeating the USA, Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands.
However, their campaign faced a setback in the Super 8 stage when they suffered a heavy 76-run defeat to South Africa.
India responded strongly, beating Zimbabwe in a must-win match and then defeating the West Indies in a virtual quarter-final. They carried that momentum into the semi-final, edging past England by seven runs.
In the final, India posted a massive total of 255/5, powered by Sanju Samson’s explosive 89 off 46 balls and Abhishek Sharma's quick-fire cameo. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah then delivered a match-winning spell to seal the title.
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