“Runs weren’t scored” - Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill’s performance and vice-captain tag in the T20Is

Now that the ODI action is finished, India's journey to Australia will concentrate on the five-match T20I series, which kicks out in Canberra on Wednesday, October 29. Indian T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill has received a warning from former cricket player turned broadcaster Aakash Chopra ahead of the start of the series.

With several players fighting for his starting spot in the five-match T20I series, Shubman Gill's lacklustre Asia Cup T20I comeback may put him under some pressure, according to former India opener Aakash Chopra.

The Punjab boy's performances in the Asia Cup 2025 and the ODI series against Australia prompted doubts about his consistency after he was promoted to T20I vice-captaincy and ODI captaincy. He was unable to make a significant impact with the bat.

Gill would try to get back among the runs after managing just 43 runs at an average of 14.33 in three ODIs against Australia. After sharing the opening slot with Abhishek Sharma, the Indian opener had only scored 127 runs in seven Asia Cup games.

Sanju Samson, who had performed well over the previous year, lost his starting place as a result of Gill's return. He was given a permanent position in the lower middle order.

“This T20I series will be extremely important for Shubman Gill. It’s important for him because runs weren’t scored when he was elevated to ODI captaincy. Again, you can’t read too much into it because it’s just been one series. I get that. So it’s not like there is a question on his place,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“People are breathing down his neck. One is in the team itself. Sanju Samson had opened and done well. You are keeping him with the team and making him bat down the order. Many times, it seems like you are being unjust to Sanju Samson. There is pressure if you are not making him open,” he added.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, a talented southpaw, is also waiting in the wings without playing in the format, Chopra added. Out of Gill, Samson, and Jaiswal, he has the greatest T20I strike rate. For Gill, this series will be very important in determining his future.

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