India’s hard-hitting opener Abhishek Sharma has come in defense of his captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill as they struggle for form in T20Is. In the third T20I of the series against South Africa, Gill got a start but departed for a run-a-ball 28 whereas Suryakumar managed to score just 12 runs from 11 balls. The leadership duo have been under the scanner as they have not been among runs but Abhishek feels that they will win matches for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 at home.
“I’ll tell you one thing straight away," Abhishek was quoted as saying by Sportstar in the post-match press conference. “Trust me, Suryakumar and Shubman will win matches for India in the World Cup, and matches before the World Cup as well. I’ve played with them for so long, especially with Shubman. I know where Shubman can excel, in what conditions, irrespective of the opponent. I have full trust in him. Very soon, everyone else will gain that trust in him, too."
While Gill and Suryakumar struggled in Dharamsala, Abhishek approached the run chase as usual. The southpaw smashed three sixes and as many fours in the run chase of 118 to rule out the possibility of a Proteas comeback.
Gill and Suryakumar's T20I numbers in 2025
Gill has scored 291 runs from 15 games at an average of 24.25 and strike rate of 137.26. He is yet to score a T20I fifty in this calendar year.
Suryakumar's numbers are even more concerning. From 18 innings, he managed to score 213 runs at an average of 14.20 and strike rate of 125.29. Coincidentally, both Suryakumar and Gill's high score of 2025 is 47.
Suryakumar says he is ‘not out of form’
Meanwhile, Suryakumar has claimed that he is not out of form as he has been batting well in the nets.
"Sport teaches you a lot of things. How you come back is more important. There was a lot of learning after last game in the meeting and then did what we did in Cuttack today. I've been batting beautifully in the nets. When the runs have to come, they'll come. Not out of form, definitely out of runs" said Suryakumar Yadav in post match presentation.
While Sanju Samson continues to warm the bench, Gill and Suryakumar will have a chance to get back in form in the remaining two T20Is of the series. The next T20I is scheduled to take place on December 17 in Lucknow.