Shubman Gill arrived in Australia as India’s vice-captain and designated T20I opener—a role crafted to groom the next big leader. Three matches later, that plan is under fire. His batting, once celebrated for its fluency, now looks like a mismatch in a format that punishes anything less than explosive.
The latest episode unfolded in the fourth T20I at Carrara Oval, Gold Coast. Sent in to bat, Gill anchored with 46 off 39 balls—his highest score of the series. He added 50 with Abhishek Sharma and 44 with Shivam Dube, helping India reach 167/8. Australia collapsed to 119, giving India a 48-run win and a 2-1 series lead. Spinners Washington Sundar (3/17) and Axar Patel (2/20) took the headlines, but Gill’s knock became the talking point—for all the wrong reasons.
His strike rate: 117.95. On a decent batting track, it was a crawl. Fans on social media didn’t hold back: “Babar Azam in Indian jersey.” “T20 opener in Test mode.”
The criticism isn’t new. Since his return in the 2025 Asia Cup, Gill has played 14 T20I innings. His last ten scores: 10, 9, 24, 37, 5, 15, 50, 12, 31, 46*.
Average: 20.3
Strike rate: 119
This from a player who dominated IPL 2025 with 650 runs at 155.88 for Gujarat Titans.
Ravi Shastri was blunt on air: “He’s playing T20 like a Test match. This format doesn’t reward patience—it demands chaos.” Robin Uthappa added: “Gill is in the XI because of future captaincy talk, not current T20 impact. The team is being reshaped to fit him.”
The bench tells a different story. Yashasvi Jaiswal, part of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad, has a T20I strike rate of 165. He smashed 435 runs in IPL 2025 at 155.91, yet he’s been sidelined to accommodate Gill.
Sanju Samson started the series but was dropped after two games.
Jitesh Sharma now offers finishing punch.
Gautam Gambhir remains firm: “Gill builds platforms. Others explode. That’s the strategy.”
Gill defended himself: “I was setting up for the death overs. The pitch was slow early. Intent was to go big after 15.”
But runs alone doesn’t win T20s. Powerplay does. Momentum does.
The series ends in Brisbane on November 8. One match to decide: stick with the future captain—or back the fearless firepower of Jaiswal and others? With the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, India can’t afford passengers.
Gill’s class is proven. But is he T20 fit? That’s the real question.
