Shubman Gill’s T20I slump continues — 13 innings without a fifty. Is it time for India to explore other top-order options?
Shubman Gill’s recent form in T20Is has put India’s opening strategy under scrutiny. The India vice-captain has not scored even a single fifty in the ongoing run of 13 T20I innings.
Despite being one of the most naturally gifted young batters, Gill’s extended struggle in T20 internationals is backed by cold, hard data.
With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 fast approaching, India will have this tough decision of whether to continue with Gill or move to more dynamic options.
Shubman Gill’s recent T20I form
Gill’s last 13 T20I innings read: 15, 5, 37*, 12, 4, 29, 47, 5, 10, 20*, 39, 34, 13. The last fifty plus score came against Zimbabwe in July 2024. But since then, Gill has totalled just 270 runs in 13 innings, well short of what India need from their opener in this ultra-competitive format.
His Asia Cup 2025 campaign saw 127 runs in seven matches, averaging only 21.17 and striking at 155.40. His highest was a brisk 47 against Pakistan in the Super Four, during a rare 105-run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma.
Outside that knock, Gill continually fell early, often never quite complimenting his partners at the top, contributing to India’s inability to build strong opening stands. In the ongoing Australia series, Gill’s struggles have been exacerbated by hostile pace attacks, as his numbers, runs of 15(12), 5(10), 37*(28) – highlight an inability to seize or stabilise powerplay overs for India.
The lack of substantial partnerships with Abhishek Sharma has repeatedly left India exposed in the initial overs. While Sharma has played with intent, Gill’s cautious and frequently tentative starts have failed to set the desired tempo. This inability has placed additional pressure on India’s middle order, forcing them to play for recovery rather than front-foot dominance.
Read More: Does Shubman Gill deserve to be India’s T20I opener after an underwhelming Asia Cup 2025?
India’s alternative Openers in T20Is
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s rise has been one of the best stories of Indian cricket. At just 23 years old, his numbers trump Gill’s recent output: 723 runs in 22 T20I innings, average 36.15, strike rate 164.32, one century and five fifties.
He brings natural aggression, left-handedness, and flair. His recent T20 outings have featured scores of 93, brisk cameos, and a boundary-hitting ability that is tailor-made for powerplay batting.
The argument that the team should favour Gill, a right-hander, to maintain a left-right opening combination with Sharma is now increasingly flimsy, especially when Jaiswal is clearly the more impactful opener by numbers and match-winning potential.
Read More: Is Sanju Samson’s game suited for the middle order in T20 cricket?
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson, often India’s forgotten T20 matchwinner, has a stellar record as an opener in both international and IPL cricket. In T20 internationals as opener he has 993 runs, an average of 39, strike rate of 148, and the highest score of 111, including three hundreds and three fifties.
As Rajasthan Royals’ IPL captain, Samson’s impact at the top has been enormous, scoring 531 runs in IPL 2024 at a 48.27 average and 153.47 strike rate, alongside some quick fifties. Samson’s attacking intent, wide scoring range, and experience make him a potent alternative.
Time to rethink?
Now, a T20I side demands bold, dynamic intent, especially at the top. For India, with Gill unable to provide it for over a year and proven options like Jaiswal and Samson warming the bench, the evidence points to the need for immediate change.
Jaiswal’s numbers, attacking mindset, and recent form make him the clear option to partner Abhishek Sharma, regardless of whether the combination is left-left. Samson, meanwhile, deserves a longer run in the format, given his pedigree and ability to swing matches at the start.
Read More: Numerical story of India’s batting dominance in T20Is post T20 WC 2022
