Overview:
Across 15 T20Is this year, Gill has scored at 147.8 but has fallen eight times in the powerplay and managed only two sixes in that phase.
India secured a comfortable victory over South Africa in the third T20I, but vice-captain Shubman Gill once again came under the spotlight for his cautious 28 off 28 balls. The match was played on Sunday, December 14, at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
Batting first, South Africa were dismissed for 117 runs. India completed the chase with ease, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s brisk 35 from 18 deliveries, while Shubman Gill laboured for 28 off 28 balls in a seven-wicket win with 25 balls remaining.
Even with India holding a 2-1 advantage in the series, Shubman Gill’s poor run of form remains a talking point. He has managed just 32 runs across three matches in the series and 291 runs from 15 T20I innings in 2025. As his inconsistency persists, India could consider giving the vice-captain a break for the fourth T20I against South Africa on December 17 in Lucknow.
Finding it difficult to adapt to India’s T20 system
Shubman Gill has found it challenging to adjust since returning to India’s T20I squad as vice-captain at the 2025 Asia Cup. Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, the team has shifted towards a more aggressive and high-risk batting style.
Abhishek Sharma has adapted seamlessly to India’s aggressive approach, scoring freely in the powerplay at a strike rate of 185.7 and hitting 44 sixes. Shubman Gill’s method, however, is more cautious early on, which has often been at odds with the team’s attacking style, and his attempts to accelerate have led to dismissals.
Across 15 T20Is this year, Gill has scored at 147.8 but has fallen eight times in the powerplay and managed only two sixes in that phase. Struggling to balance safety with aggression, he has found it difficult to maintain consistency.
With a prolonged opportunity already given, the next T20I against South Africa allows India to experiment with other choices and potentially partner Abhishek Sharma with a new opening batter.
Sanju Samson’s impressive stats stand out
Shubman Gill’s spot at the top is under threat due to competition from Sanju Samson. Before Gill’s return at the Asia Cup, Samson opened with Abhishek Sharma and performed well but was pushed down the order and later dropped.
With Gill yet to score a fifty in 15 T20Is this year, Samson could be recalled as an opener. Samson has scored 522 runs in 17 T20Is at a strike rate of 178.77, while Gill has 869 runs from 36 innings at a lower strike rate, suggesting Samson has been the more effective opening option.
Gill’s vice-captain role should not guarantee his place
Despite being the team’s vice-captain, Shubman Gill’s main duty is to provide stability at the top of the order, an area where he has struggled to deliver consistently. India, however, have performed strongly under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, supported by experienced players Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah.
Given the team’s depth and balance, Gill’s leadership role should not guarantee his place if form continues to dip. With current performances not aligning with the team’s requirements, India could consider resting him for the upcoming T20I against South Africa to back in-form players and prepare a settled combination for the 2026 T20 World Cup.