Yet to stamp his authority in the shortest format, Shubman Gill would be eyeing major gains on home soil when a well-rounded India look to extend their dominance over South Africa in the second T20I here on Thursday.
Just one day gap here
With only a travel day separating the first two games of the five-match series, Gill won’t mind getting straight into the middle in search of a substantial knock.
India steamrolled South Africa in the series opener but the middling returns from Gill, since his T20 comeback in Asia Cup back in September, remains a talking point.
Following an impressive debut as Test captain in the UK, Gill was brought back into the T20 setup.
Even though Sanju Samson and his Punjab teammate Abhishek Sharma were doing the job at the top of the order, the team management showed immense faith in Gill’s abilities as a T20 opener. The batter from Kerala was displaced and he has since then struggled to find a place in the playing eleven.
The Test and ODI captain can seamlessly perform the role that Virat Kohli performed for India till the T20 World Cup last year but the team, with batting options till number eight, has doubled down on its fearless approach since the triumph in Barbados, leaving little room for an anchor.
Gill certainly can’t go hammer and tongs like Abhishek Sharma in the Powerplay and therefore needs to figure out what works best for him.
Besides Gill, captain Suryakumar Yadav, who has failed to find consistency over the past 12 months, is also facing additional scrutiny.
Surya’s form vital for WC
Couple of months down the line, Suryakumar would be leading India’s World Cup defence at home and considering the added responsibility, flow of runs from his bat form a crucial piece of the puzzle heading into the ICC showpiece.
Zero
No. of half-tons scored by Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill this year
15.07
Suryakumar Yadav’s average across 18 T20Is in 2025
126.45
Suryakumar Yadav’s strike rate in 2025 — nearly 40 less than his career SR of 164.05
26.30
Shubman Gill’s average in 13 T20Is since this year’s Asia Cup
4.00
Gill’s average in his three T20Is vs SA till date
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