India have suffered a massive blow as their vice-captain Shubman Gill has been reportedly ruled out of the fifth and final T20I against South Africa, which is set to be played on December 19 at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.
Injured Shubman Gill out of 5th T20I against South Africa
Gill picked up a toe injury right ahead of the fourth T20I against Proteas, which was abandoned due to excessive fog at the Ekana cricket stadium in Lucknow on December 17. However, it's highly unlikely that Gill will recover in time, hence he will end up missing the series-decider. In Gill's absence, the 31-year-old star batter Sanju Samson is expected to be included in India's playing XI for the final T20I and is likely to open the innings for Men in Blue.
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Gill sustained a toe injury during a net session ahead of the fourth T20I. The injury occurred toward the end of an extended practice when he was struck while batting, leaving him in visible distress and struggling to walk. This is particularly frustrating for Gill, as it marks his second serious injury in a short period; he had only recently returned to action after recovering from a neck injury sustained during the first Test against South Africa in November. The medical team has since ruled him out of the final two matches of the current series to prioritize his recovery.
Shubman Gill's worrisome T20I form
Before this latest injury, Gill had been struggling to find his rhythm in the T20I format. Since making his return during the Asia Cup 2025, his numbers have been underwhelming, with 291 runs in 15 innings and a notable absence of any half-centuries. In the current series against South Africa, his scores of 4, 0, and 28 have led to increased scrutiny from critics and raised questions about his role in India’s long-term plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup. While India currently holds a 2-1 lead in the series, Gill’s lack of impact at the top of the order has been a point of concern for the team management.
In his absence, Sanju Samson is set to step back into the opening role for the first time since the Asia Cup. Samson’s return to the top of the order is a major talking point, as he was previously moved out of the opening slot to accommodate Gill, despite Samson having scored three centuries in the past twelve months.
India are currently leading the series 2-1 and will look to seal the series with a win in the final T20I.