Home
India’s T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill’s form continues to be an area of concern ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. India’s legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his concern as well, especially because Gill is a vice-captain and dropping him will be a tough decision for the team management. He feels that replacing Gill with Sanju Samson may not be a good look by a decision will be taken in five games if Gill doesn't regain his form.
“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 his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat.
Ashwin lists out positives, negatives after Dharamsala T20I
Gill is impressed with how the bowling department fared in Dharamsala T20I even without Jasprit Bumrah’s services. He lauded Harshit Rana for cashing in on the opportunity. Also, he pointed out that time is running out for Gill but it doesn’t mean that he scores at a lesser strike rate to get some runs under his belt.
“You should know 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," he added.
Gill is yet to score a T20I half-century this year. Meanwhile, Samson's has been used as a floater since Gill's return. The wicketkeeper-batter's numbers have taken a hit as well as he has not got many chances at the top compared to 2024 where he scored three T20I tons.
ADVERTISEMENT
