For the duration of the current five-match series against South Africa, India should think about removing Shubman Gill from the T20I team, according to former international Mohammad Kaif. Gill’s position as vice captain shouldn’t interfere with the team’s goals, according to Kaif, and there shouldn’t be any “double standards.”
In the 2025 Asia Cup, Gill made a comeback to the T20I team as an opener. India moved the excellent Samson to the middle order to create room for him. Only Samson was let go, despite both players’ struggles in their new roles.
Gill has yet to hit more than two sixes in a game or reach a half-century. In the second Twenty20 International of the South Africa series, he was most recently dismissed as a golden duck at home.
On his YouTube channel, Kaif remarked, “Look at how he is getting out, caught at slip, stepping out and mistiming, trying aggressive strokes like Abhishek Sharma and getting caught.” “He has made every effort. I believe it’s time to try players who have proven themselves and give him a rest. Sanju Samson is a really good footballer who hasn’t had enough opportunities. Double standards shouldn’t exist. Vice-captains have also been fired in the past. There’s nothing wrong with resting Gill and bringing in someone else if that’s what the team wants.”
According to Kaif, it is “clearly visible” that some players on the club receive extended runs, while others are faced with “very few chances.”
However, it seems that the moment for adjustments is now. Even though Sanju Samson scored a lot as an opener, you kept him on the bench and didn’t give him regular opportunities. You also dropped players like Jaiswal. He became the first person in history to score three hundreds in five Twenty20 innings. Some players are given very few opportunities, while others are given long runs because you want to establish them as members of the team. That is very evident. However, I believe that the pressure has grown to such an extent that it’s time for a change somewhere,” he continued.
On Sunday, South Africa and India will play their third Twenty20 International in Dharamsala.
