Ravichandran Ashwin gives crucial advice to Shubman Gill ahead of IPL 2026

India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will be eager to get back into the T20I side led by Suryakumar Yadav when he turns out for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026.

Not too long ago, Gill was being seen as a key figure in India’s T20 plans and was even named vice-captain in the format. But a lean patch with the bat, along with strong performances from Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, saw him lose his place ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which India went on to win.

Ashwin's advice to Shubman Gill

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels Gill should now shift his focus to making the most of batting in Ahmedabad, a ground where he has enjoyed a lot of success over the years.

“To dismiss him in Ahmedabad, he has become a bit like a don these days; it is quite difficult to get him out. So, I think Shubman Gill has nothing to worry about, and if I were him, I would be telling myself to go out and plunder runs once again. The best way to keep yourself in reckoning is by making a volume of runs. He will be the best batter for GT,” said Ashwin on Ash ki Baat.

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Ashwin lauds Shubman Gill

Ashwin also said that Gill should not get too obsessed with strike rate and instead focus on building big innings for his team.

“I have no doubt that Shubman will go about his batting business, just like last year. If Shubman keeps chasing strike rate and does not score runs, then GT will struggle big time. I hope he does not do that. He can score runs without chasing a high strike rate.” Ashwin added.

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Gill will come into the IPL 2026 with extra motivation

He also believes Gill will come into the season with extra motivation, especially with players like Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler around him in the top order.

“In the top three of Gill, (Sai) Sudharsan, and (Jos) Buttler, Gill will come into the season really hungry. We will get another season where Gill chases the Orange Cap. It may also happen that he gets the Orange Cap, because he can and will do anything to get back into the T20I team,” Ashwin said.