As Asia Cup 2025 draws near, the Indian selection committee is gearing up to finalise a squad capable of defending the title. Among the many names under consideration, Shubman Gill has emerged as a potential candidate for a T20I comeback. However, questions remain over whether his style suits India’s current attacking template.
Fresh from captaining India to a 2-2 draw in the five-Test series against England, Gill’s reputation has soared. He topped the run charts for both teams and earned praise for his composed leadership. His recent form has reignited talks of a return to the shortest format.
Gill’s Previous T20I Stint and Leadership Trial
Gill last featured in a T20I during India’s tour of Sri Lanka, where he was also named vice-captain in both white-ball formats. Following the 2024 T20 World Cup, he captained India in Zimbabwe, steering the team to a 4-1 series victory.
Despite these credentials, his place in the current T20I lineup is far from certain. In 21 T20Is, Gill has amassed 578 runs at an average of 30.42 and a strike rate of 139.27, including one century and three fifties. His IPL numbers mirror this approach, with a strike rate of 138.71 over 115 innings.
India’s Aggressive Batting Order Poses a Challenge
Since July 2024, India has scored over 200 runs in eight of their last 13 first-innings efforts. The batting order—featuring Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, and Hardik Pandya—thrives on relentless aggression from the first ball.
Gill’s calculated starts, though effective in other formats, contrast with this fearless mindset. With Samson and Abhishek already established as openers and Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting for opportunities, fitting Gill into the top order could disrupt the existing balance.
Vice-Captaincy Could Complicate His Return
Gill’s comeback might also affect the leadership structure. Axar Patel, appointed T20I vice-captain in January 2025, has been a consistent match-winner with both bat and ball. He played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup final victory, making his case for retaining the role strong.
Replacing Patel without clear necessity could raise questions about selection fairness.
Patience May Be Key for the “Prince” of Indian Cricket
While Gill is widely seen as a future leader in Indian cricket, the selectors may choose to keep him out of the T20I setup for now. With the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind, maintaining the current aggressive formula under Suryakumar Yadav could take priority.
For now, Gill might have to wait for the right moment to stake his claim in the shortest format, ensuring his return strengthens the team rather than unsettles it.
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