Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised a significant talking point around Shubman Gill’s future in India’s T20I setup, following the batter’s continued struggles in the ongoing series against South Africa. With the T20 World Cup just two months away, Ashwin believes the team management may soon be forced into a difficult decision—one that involves the Indian vice-captain himself.
Gill’s disappointing run continued in the 3rd T20I at Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14, where he managed 28 runs off 28 balls. The innings once again lacked intent and impact, adding to growing concerns over his form in the shortest format.
Shubman Gill’s Numbers Raise Red Flags
Since his return to India’s T20 setup ahead of the Asia Cup in September, Gill has struggled to justify his place. Despite being elevated to vice-captain, his returns have been modest:
- Runs: 291
- Matches: 15
- Average: 24.25
- Strike Rate: 137.26
In the ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa, the numbers look even more concerning. Gill has scored just 32 runs in three innings, averaging 10.67 with a strike rate of 103.23—far from ideal in modern T20 cricket.
Ashwin’s Big Question: Can India Drop Their Vice-Captain?
Ashwin acknowledged the complexity of the situation, highlighting how Gill’s leadership role complicates selection decisions.
“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 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,”
Ashwin said on Ash ki Baat.
The former spinner stressed the importance of giving Gill a fair run but admitted that performance, especially with a World Cup looming, must remain the ultimate criteria.
Harshit Rana Impresses, But Gill Remains the Focus
Ashwin also praised Harshit Rana, who replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the third T20I and made an immediate impact by picking up two wickets with the new ball.
“You should be knowing your best XI and best squad (for T20 WC) by now. I don’t think there are any doubts in the bowling. That department is sealed. Another good message is that Harshit Rana is showing what he is capable of. He is executing what he is good at. 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. That should not happen.”
Ashwin made it clear that scoring slow runs merely to stay relevant could hurt the team more than help.
Ashwin Pushes for India’s Best Bowling Attack at the World Cup
The veteran spinner also outlined a strong case for prioritising India’s bowling strength, particularly if Bumrah returns to the attack.
“What happened today, I want to see in the World Cup. If you play this attack with Bumrah, if you play this combination, you will bowl at teams for low scores. There is a high possibility you will choke teams. We will get that choice, and we must take it. The captain and coach should think of going with the best bowling attack. If the batters can take a little more responsibility with Hardik in that squad, I am sure you can play your best bowling attack,”
he added.
Ashwin believes India’s bowling unit has the firepower to dominate global opposition—provided the management backs it fully.
Team Management’s Batting Concerns Acknowledged
Ashwin concluded by addressing what he feels is an underlying concern within the team setup regarding batting depth, urging the management to trust the squad’s strengths.
“The Indian team management is worried about the batting somewhere deep inside their head. I don’t know what that worry is because we have been in fabulous form in T20 cricket with both bat and bowl. Play your best bowlers. You will lose sometimes because it is a high-risk game. You go into the World Cup with the best bowling attack, and then if you lose, you lose. But put the best men in the park.”
With time running out before the T20 World Cup 2026, the spotlight on Shubman Gill’s performances is only going to intensify. Whether India stick with their vice-captain or look for alternatives could become one of the biggest selection debates in the months ahead.
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