Shubman Gill is walking like a cat on the hot tin roof for his struggling T20I record in the ongoing year. In the ongoing year, the right-handed batter has collected only 263 runs in 14 innings of the shortest format at an average of 23.91 and a strike rate of 142.93, with the best score of 47 that came against Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2025.

Gill is yet to celebrate a single half-century in the T20Is of the year, which will put pressure on the Indian management to drop him, especially to bring Sanju Samson into the eleven, as the latter could provide the wicket-keeping option along with opening the batting. But the former South Africa captain, AB de Villiers, doesn’t accept the idea.

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“Come on!! Do me a favor. Shubman Gill has failed just once or twice, and we are already talking about replacing him. We have to be patient. They need someone like him because they have so many aggressive batters in the Indian batting line-up.” De Villiers said in his YouTube video.

Ab de Villiers offers unique idea to play Shubman Gill in T20Is

There had been calls to bring Yashasvi Jaiswal into the T20I set-up. The left-handed batter, who has notched up 723 runs in 22 innings at an average of 36.15 and a strike rate of 164.31 with the help of five fifties and one century at the best score of 100, has earned success. And de Villiers isn’t denying it either.

Watch the video here: 

Ab Devilliers backs Shubman Gill :

Gill has failed just once or twice & we are already talking about replacing him we have to be patient, we need someone like him, ICT is already full of aggressive batsmen I would rather shift Gill at 3 & bring jaiswal as a opener pic.twitter.com/9V2NM05Muc

— Ironix (@ironix269) December 13, 2025

“Yes, Yashasvi Jaiswal is one of the best players I have ever seen to play the game. So, there is a spot for him. I wouldn’t put him for Gill. I will probably have Gill at three with Jaiswal opening the batting.” The former Protea batter noted.

If India does bring Jaiswal at the top and drop Gill at number three, then it will be against Tilak Verma, who has also done everything right to retain his place. India’s third encounter against the Rainbow Nation in the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on December 14 could prove to be a do-or-die clash for Shubman Gill.  

Amidst the loud noise outside the Indian dressing room to open with Sanju Samson in the T20I side, the management continues to keep faith in Shubman Gill, who also stretches his poor record in the shortest format. In the opening game of the ongoing five-match series against South Africa, Gill failed to get his rhythm back after returning from a long-time injury.

In the second game of the Protea series, he was edged into the slip region against Lungi Ngidi for a golden duck. He now has bagged 841 runs in 35 innings at an average of just over 28 and a strike rate of 140.40 with the help of three fifties and one century. His fight is with Samson, who has grabbed 995 runs in 43 innings at 25.51 and a strike rate of 147.40.

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However, Gill’s recent record has put the alarm bells ringing before the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. In the ongoing year 2025, he has got only 263 runs in 13 T20I innings at an average of 26.30 and a strike rate of 143.72 with no half-centuries.

Shubman Gill continues poor T20I form with golden duck vs South Africa

Due to his poor form, India has struggled to get going in the opening partnership. The responsibility remains too much on his partner, Abhishek Sharma, to unleash his beast mode with the bat. Abhishek and Gill have overall collected 500 runs for the opening stand in 16 innings.

Since the beginning of September 2025, Gill has featured in 14 T20I innings for India and has scored only 263 runs at an average of 23.90 at a strike rate of 142.93, with the best score of unbeaten 47 runs. His contribution for the national side is vital as whenever India loses a T20I clash, his average drops to 8.38 with 67 T20I runs in eight innings at the best score of 31.

Shubman Gill’s year-wise T20I performance 

In terms of breaking the dismissal modes of Shubman Gill, most of them have been caught by the fielders. He has been dismissed by such order 15 times, which is 51.7% of his overall career. The other two most common ways of dismissal have been bowled and leg before the stumps, which took place five times at 17.2%. 

In his three-year T20I career, Gill was awarded the player of the match award only once in T20Is, which was against New Zealand in February 2023. The right-handed batter celebrated his unbeaten 126 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Gill’s overall T20 record is decent with 5384 runs in 170 innings at an average of 37.13 and a strike rate of nearly 140, thanks to six centuries and 32 half-centuries at the best score of 129. But he needs to kick off on the international stage to shut the noise and gain confidence.

The Indian management, under captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir, decided to give him a long stretch at the opening position by benching Samson. In that method, they also got Jitesh Sharma back into the team in the middle order and with the gloves.

However, they might not be able to continue the combination if Gill doesn’t turn up fire in the last eight remaining T20Is before the ICC event. His next mission will be on December 14 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.

Before the beginning of the second T20I of the five-match series against South Africa at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, the former all-rounder of the Indian side, Yuvraj Singh, turned up at the ground and met the national side. He had a warm discussion with the two youngsters- Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.

Later, Yuvraj Singh met the head coach of the Indian side, Gautam Gambhir, and had another interaction with the premier all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, who was the biggest contributor behind the home side’s 101-run victory in the previous encounter at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Yuvraj also enjoyed a candid moment with Kuldeep Yadav, who didn’t get his place in the eleven.

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The 2011 World Cup-winning member of the Indian side was present at the ground as he and the captain of the women’s team, Harmanpreet Kaur, received the honour of having stands named after them. He celebrated the occasion alongside their loved one and the Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann.

Yuvraj Singh meets Indian team during IND vs SA 2nd T20I

India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, won the toss and decided to bowl first without any hesitation. He also confirmed that the dew had already started to form in the ground even before the beginning of the fixture. They retained the same playing eleven while the Proteas brought back George Linde, Ottneil Baartman, and Reeza Hendricks into the eleven.

Watch the video here:

Yuvraj Singh with shubham gill and Abhishek Sharma ❤️#ShubmanGill #AbhishekSharma pic.twitter.com/0WcNvnQHr4

— MistuX🫅 (@4everGill7) December 11, 2025

Unlike the previous contest when the Proteas were bundled out for a low score in the 176-run chase, the visitors got a successful and strong start with the bat. Aiden Markram, the captain, played a struggling knock of 29 runs in 26 balls with the help of one boundary and two sixes, but the focus was on Quinton de Kock, who drilled 88 runs in 43 balls with the help of five boundaries and seven sixes to shoulder the South Africa side to 147/2 in 14 overs.

Arshdeep Singh didn’t enjoy the evening, leaking 38 runs without any success in three overs, while Varun Chakravarthy had two wickets in three overs for 25 runs.

It was the second day’s play of the opening Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where the red-ball captain, Shubman Gill, injured his neck while attempting a slog sweep and immediately looked in pain as the doctor decided to take him off the field. He didn’t return for the rest of the contest and missed the second game in Guwahati, with Rishabh Pant getting the leadership.

Shubman Gill was admitted to the Wooden Hospital in Kolkata before being discharged in two days, as he was part of the second Test squad initially before the BCCI decided to leave him out. He returned home to spend some time with the family before turning to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

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On December 03, there was a review meeting scheduled for the announcement of the T20I squad against South Africa. It was delayed only because of Gill’s fitness. The right-handed batter will need the fitness certificate from the BCCI CoE, which will be passed to the selection committee for the squad selection.

Shubman Gill likely to be part of India’s T20I series against South Africa

Gill was involved in multiple sessions in Bengaluru. He jogged around the pool, besides going through a light batting session towards the end. It will take some time for the batter to get fit, which means he will stay at the CoE for a few more days. That means he may not start the series against the Proteas at home but could return for the last two games.

🚨Gill rehab might take a few more days, with the plan being not to rush the T20 vice captain back into action.@rohitjuglan with details.@ThumsUpOfficial #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/FgdDP9UNgM

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) December 3, 2025

In Gill's absence, the management could give chances to Yashasvi Jaiswal, as per the Revsportz reports. Jaiswal could likely open the batting with Abhishek Sharma, while Sanju Samson could be dropped down to the middle order. Gill didn’t enjoy a great time in the T20Is in the Asia Cup and Australia.

Gill will aim to be back in the T20I squad. Apart from the home Protea series, India will face New Zealand at home in the five-match T20I series before heading into the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, apart from the warm-up clash against South Africa.  

Shubman Gill was spotted in an all-black attire while he was going to the Centre of Excellence (CoE). After a rehab program, his date for an international comeback can be finalized. The captain of Team India's Test and ODI teams, Shubman Gill, is out of action due to a neck spasm. The right hand batter received the injury at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata when India was playing the first match of a 2-match Test series against South Africa.

 In the first innings of the match, when Gill went to bat, he injured his neck after playing a sweep shot. The physio rushed onto the ground for medical assistance, but that did not help the batter to carry on the match. Gill left the pitch immediately, and since then, he has been out of the ground.

 During his absence, Rishabh Pant was the stand-in captain, and for the ongoing ODI series, KL Rahul is named as the captain of Team India. When will Shubman Gill be back in action? As of now, there is no clear confirmation about the matter, as he is currently recovering from the injury.

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When will Shubman Gill again play for Team India?

Captain Shubman Gill on his way to the Centre of Excellence.

- He looks fully recovered from the neck spasm.
- He is set to play the first T20 on the 9th.
- He will undergo a 2 day rehab program at the COE.

It is great to see him back ❤️ pic.twitter.com/i5Z5f0Bq88

— GillTheWill (@GillTheWill77) December 1, 2025

It is reported that he will undergo a 2-day rehab program at the Centre of Excellence. After that, the board can make a final call on his return. It is believed that if things go according to the plans, then the top-order batter can feature in the upcoming 5-match T20I series against South Africa. After the conclusion of the ongoing ODI series, both teams will lock horns for a five-match T20I contest.

The series is scheduled to start on December 9 and will continue till December 19. Will Gill get back his fitness before the beginning of the Twenty20 series? The answer is yet to be gotten.

India’s newly appointed ODI captain, Shubman Gill, is anticipated to miss the upcoming three-match series against South Africa, starting next week as the red-ball leader was ruled out due to a serious neck injury than initially thought as the reports claimed. Gill picked up the injury during the opening Test against the Proteas at the Eden Gardens and missed the second Guwahati game.

Gill’s recover timeline has extended which has prompted the selectors to consider a stop-gap captain and adjust the squad before Ranchi. India's vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, is also sidelined with a rib cage injury sustained during the previous 50-over series against Australia down under. In this scenario, KL Rahul is poised to return to the leadership role after a two-year gap.

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“All tests are being conducted to determine whether it’s a muscular strain or a nerve-related issue.” The source of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as quoted by the Times of India (TOI) has revealed. The officials have also indicated that Gill’s issue could involve muscular or nerve complications, rather than a simple neck spasm.

KL Rahul expected to lead India in ODI series vs South Africa

Gill consulted the spinal specialist Dr Abhay Nene, with the findings being set to the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar. With his fitness being uncertain, the management won’t take any risk for the ODIs while Gill remains doubtful even for the T20I series, starting on December 09.

Rishabh Pant, who has been leading the Blue Brigade in the second Guwahati Test, was considered for the role. However, his lack of ODI experience recently having been out of the side in the last few series and tournaments have weakened his case. KL Rahul’s situation is more practical in these consideration.

Rahul is India’s first-choice ODI wicket-keeper and a former captain and now emerges as the most practical replacement. Due to Iyer’s injury, Rahul’s position will be more natural to lead the Indian side in the Rainbow Nation. Post the ODI series, India’s next 50-over clash will be against New Zealand at home.

The talk of the town ahead of the two-match Test series between India and South Africa was the exclusion of Mohammad Shami, who, despite the national side playing a Test match at his domestic ground, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, is still linked with Bengal for the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season. 

Mohammad Shami has already breathed fire in the event, but despite that, he has been overlooked by the BCCI selection committee and management in the longest format for nearly two years. He played his last Test match against Australia during the WTC 2021-23 final in South London. Now, Shami’s former team-mate, Cheteshwar Pujara, has sent a blunt message to the selectors ahead of the Protea series.

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“Someone like Mohammed Shami should be having – I mean, the selectors and the team management should have a very honest conversation with him. What’s the plan going forward? Whether they want to pick him or whether they are looking at the young players.” Pujara expressed during an interaction on JioHotstar.

Cheteshwar Pujara reacts to Mohammad Shami’s exclusion from South Africa Test series

Shami has played 64 Test matches so far in his career, picking up 229 wickets at an average of around 28 and a strike rate of 50 with six five-wicket hauls. India’s captain, Shubman Gill, has also rated the 35-year-old as a quality bowler on the eve of the Kolkata Test, besides highlighting their wish to put weight on the youngsters.

“If he is being informed that they are not looking at him, then it is always Shami’s personal call whether he wants to carry on playing first-class cricket, whether he still wants to – I mean, he is part of the IPL as well. So, he would want to carry on playing cricket.” Pujara mentioned in the same interaction.

“There aren't many bowlers of his (Mohammed Shami’s) quality around. But you have to take into consideration the bowlers that are playing right now. They have done such a terrific job. You can't ignore the performances of someone like Akash Deep or someone like Prasidh.” Gill shed light in the press conference.

Since India was whitewashed against New Zealand in the three-match Test series last year, the home side has been cautious of the surface they have been producing for different opponents. In the previous series against the West Indies, they put up a green surface for the opener in Ahmedabad, while in the second clash, they used a slow surface at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. 

Heading into the new series against South Africa for the opening game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the focus has been immensely on the surface. The ground is known for its assistance to the fast bowlers, who get nip and seam movement in the first hour of the morning. The new CAB secretary, Sourav Ganguly, has dropped a massive statement on the 22-yard.  

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“Well, they haven’t asked for it (rank turner) yet. So, I won’t be able to answer the question. It looks like a very good one.” Ganguly expressed, as quoted by the PTI news agency. The spinners have historically struggled at this venue.

Sourav Ganguly reveals India’s no request for rank turner for IND vs SA Kolkata Test

Despite not being watered for nearly a week before the start of the Test, CAB’s curator, Sujan Mukherjee, revealed that head coach Gautam Gambhir was happy to see the wicket during the inspection. He further noted that when the coach asked him about the turn of the 22-yard, he indicated that it could appear from the third day of the clash.

“It’s going to be a good sporting wicket with help for both batters and bowlers. There will be assistance on offer for the spinners as well, and that can happen early as well.” Mujherjee, who brought black soil and a different type of grass to convert it to a pacy and bouncy turf in recent times, addressed.

Ganguly also shed light on the encouraging ticket sales for the first three days of the Test matches as he stated, “Thirty-four thousand priced tickets have been sold out as we expect a good turnout.” It will be the first Test at this ground in six years since the day-night affair against Bangladesh.

The former Indian opening batter, Sunil Gavaskar, has blamed the fans of Indian cricket for spreading a false claim of how the former ODI captain, Rohit Sharma, has deliberately underperformed under the new leadership of Shubman Gill during the opening 50-over clash against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Gavaskar felt that the misconception is far from the truth. He also revealed that similar things had also been made in the past. Rohit Sharma returned with a struggling score of eight runs in the middle after he ended up getting an outside edge into the slip region.

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“Over the years, a significant misconception among Indian cricket fans is that if a player is replaced as captain, he will attempt to undermine the new captain by not performing to the best of his ability. Nothing can be further from the truth, for the simple fact is that if a captain has been replaced and then doesn’t perform, he could be out of the team altogether.” Gavaskar wrote in his column on Sportstar.

Sunil Gavaskar slams Indian fans for their misconception about former Indian captains

Along with Rohit, Virat Kohli was dismissed for an eight-ball duck in the middle. The right-handed batter couldn’t keep the ball on the ground when he went for a flashing drive and was caught by the backward point fielder.

“So, no player, however aggrieved he may feel at losing the captaincy, is ever going to underperform deliberately. With that misconception still going strong, many are questioning if young Shubman Gill will be able to handle two former captains, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are part of the three-match One-Day International series against Australia.” The former opener addressed.

“Gill has gone out of his way to say that his equation with them hasn’t changed simply because he is the captain now. If anything, he will only benefit by having these two stalwarts by his side. Both would be happy to offer suggestions if asked, and what could be better for a captain leading in this format for the first time than to have two of the greatest ODI players playing in his team?” Gavaskar concluded.

Everything went India’s way on the opening day of the second Test of the two-match series against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a huge knock of over 150 runs and remained unbeaten to continue with the same flow on the second day, along with the captain, Shubman Gill.

However, a fatal accident took place during the 85th over of the day when Yashasvi Jaiswal flicked Anderson Phillip to the mid-wicket fielder and rushed for a single. The fielder made a brilliant stop and threw the ball at the wicket-keeper, Tevin Imlach, who ran from his position to collect the ball.

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While he was doing that, Gill rushed in to complete the single. He didn’t see the keeper and banged into his right shoulder. The first impression was not good for both players as they somehow managed to gather themselves. The physios from both camps ran in for medical treatment. After a couple of minutes, they looked well and restarted the job.

Watch: Shubman Gill bangs into Tevin Ismach’s right shoulder during IND vs WI Delhi Test

Gill won the toss for the very first time in his Test captaincy and decided to bat on a good surface to pile up the runs. They didn’t make any change and decided to go with an unchanged eleven, while West Indies made two changes by bringing Imlach and Philip into the side.

Ouch! A nasty collision happened between Shubman Gill and Tevin Imlach at the striker’s end 😬#INDvsWI #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/89Da3jpDIk

— CREX (@Crex_live) October 10, 2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul provided them a great start with the bat before the former posted another huge partnership with Sai Sudharsan for the second wicket. The latter missed out on his well-deserved century by 13 runs while Jaiswal ended the day with an unbeaten 173 runs, thanks to 22 boundaries. It’s the fourth most runs by an Indian opener on the first day of a Test match.

India posted 318/2 in their 90 overs as Gill remained on 20 runs. For most of the second half of the day, he kept his defensive mindset. India has already taken a lead of 1-0 in this series thanks to their victory by an innings and 140 runs in Ahmedabad.