Shubman Gill and Suryakumar's Poor Form in T20I: The T20 form of young Indian batsman Shubman Gill is constantly under scrutiny. His first-ball dismissal in the second T20I against South Africa has only added to his troubles. Gill, who returned to the T20 team after a long absence and was also given the responsibility of vice-captain, is now clearly under pressure due to his lack of runs. Former cricketer Irfan Pathan has also expressed concern about his declining form.
Irfan Pathan Raised Questions
Gill made a strong comeback before the 2025 Asia Cup after being out of the T20 team for more than a year. However, since then, he has managed to score only 263 runs in 14 matches. His average during this period has been around 24. Furthermore, his highest score is only 47 runs.
"Shubman Gill's T20I form is a big worry ahead of the T20 World Cup. Hopefully he finds his touch soon, otherwise it could turn into a real catch-22 situation for Team India," Irfan posed on X
Gill's return necessitated a major change in the team's combination. To accommodate Gill, Sanju Samson, who had been opening well, was demoted and later dropped from the playing eleven. The team management expressed confidence in Gill, but this decision could now backfire on India. The opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Samson had been performing well previously, and Gill's continued opportunities have become a topic of debate.
Suryakumar Yadav's Recent Performance
Suryakumar Yadav, who became captain after the 2024 T20 World Cup, has scored only two half-centuries in his last 26 innings. In 2024, he scored 58 against Sri Lanka and 75 against Bangladesh. In 2025, he has scored 201 runs in 17 innings at an average of 14.35 and a strike rate of 126.41. His highest score is 47 not out.
“I think myself, Shubman, we could have given a good start because we can’t rely on Abhishek all the time. The way he’s been batting, he might have an off day. Me, Shubman and few other batters should have taken it. I think it would have been a smart chase,” said Suryakumar in the post-match presentation of 2nd T20I.
“But then it’s okay, Shubman got out on the first ball. But yeah, I should have taken that responsibility, batted a little deeper. But yeah, as I said, we learn, we try and do better in the next game to come,” said the Indian T20I captain.
“We just thought in the last game, we have seen Axar bat really well in the longer format. And we wanted him to bat back the same way today as well. But unfortunately, (it didn’t work) he did bat well. But we will see what’s up for us going on in the next game,” also said Suryakumar.
Although India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has defended captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill amid their poor T20I form.
“Shubman, I saw some good signs of a change in mentality on the back end of that Australian tour. I wouldn’t read too much into these two dismissals in this series. In the first game, we asked the guys to go out there and attack the powerplay, and it wasn’t a great wicket at Cuttack, so I’ll let him off for that one. Today, I thought he got a good ball that can happen when you’re short on form,” said ten Doeschate in the post-match press conference.
"But we also know the class. If you look at his IPL record where he stacks up 700 runs, 600 runs, 800 runs, 600 runs.
"We believe in his class and we believe he will come good." Doeschate added.
"It's exactly the same with Surya," ten Doeschate said.
"You mentioned about the leadership roles and we are quite far down the road now with our planning and how we have set the team up.
"Personally, I think you back quality players and quality leaders like that and they will come good.
"I can understand from the outside it looks like a concern, but I have got absolute faith in both of them coming good at the right time for us."
Meanwhile, after losing the second T20I in Mullanpur against South Africa, the five-match series is level at 1–1. The Men in Blue will look to make a roaring comeback in the third T20I on December 14 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. With eight more matches remaining ahead of the T20 World Cup, India desperately need Suryakumar and Gill to find their form in the lead-up to the tournament as they prepare to defend their title on home soil.
