Ravichandran Ashwin has raised concerns over Shubman Gill’s place in India’s T20I squad, mainly because Gill is not just an opener but also the vice-captain. Ashwin feels decisions on Gill’s batting order or place in the playing XI cannot be taken lightly, as dropping a vice-captain is not easy, especially with the T20 World Cup knocking at the door.
Speaking on Ash ki Baat, Ashwin shared his concerns and said, “I am a little concerned. Shubman is not only the opener but also the vice-captain. How will you remove the vice-captain? It is going to be an incredibly tough decision. If you have to take that decision, inside this series you can’t bring [Sanju] Samson because it does not look nice to drop the vice-captain. You can ask whether vice-captains have been dropped in the past or not. But he has been taken and should be given a fair run. If he does not perform in the five games, then a decision will have to be made.”
Gill’s last T20I fifty came against Zimbabwe in Harare in July 2024. Gill has just returned from a neck injury which he sustained during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. In the last three T20I matches against South Africa, Gill scored 32 runs at an average of 10.66.
Ashwin also highlighted that India should be ready with their World Cup plans. “You should be knowing your best XI and best squad (for the T20 World Cup) by now.” While praising Harshit Rana, Ashwin said, “I don’t think there are any doubts in the bowling. Another good message is that Harshit Rana is showing what he is capable of.”
Ashwin also pointed out that while runs matter, a lower strike rate could be an issue for Gill. “The only question is, if Shubman doesn’t make the runs, should he be there or should Samson be playing. The only unfortunate thing from here on I do not want to see is Gill making runs at a lesser strike rate,” Ashwin said.
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