If you’re a cricket fan, you’ve probably done a double-take after seeing Shubman Gill’s name as vice-captain in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. After all, Gill has been busy smashing records in Test cricket, not T20s. What makes Gill the go-to leader in T20s after a long Test run? Let’s unpack this and see why India’s selectors might have made a masterstroke in handing Gill the vice-captaincy.

 

A Proven Leader in the Making

 

To start, Shubman Gill is no stranger to leading from the front. T20 cricket may be about pace and speed with instant decisions, but leadership is more than just who has the big sixes. After Gill’s latest exploits in England, where he amassed 754 runs in 5 Tests and scored four centuries, he showed he can perform under pressure and demonstrate a clear reading of the game. The men’s selection chief, Agarkar, emphasized that Gill’s potential as a leader stood out.

 

To be a Test captain requires a lot of patience, planning, and the ability to back the right players at the right time – all of which are useful skills to T20 captaincy or vice-captaincy. While Suryakumar Yadav may be the captain for the Asia Cup on the field, having Gill as a vice-captain presents a strategic brain that can challenge and help make decisions, especially in tight moments. 

 

Timing and Form: Why Now?

 

You might be wondering why Gill has suddenly been injected into T20 leadership at this time, especially given that he had not played T20s in over a year. Timing is everything. After a streak of considerable form, players bring a different energy to the group. Suryakumar Yadav said Gill had been tied up with test matches and had not played T20 for quite a while. The group needs to be consistent and steady under pressure, with the Asia Cup on the horizon. Gill has shown he has that.

 

The situation with India’s T20 team is changing. As Jaiswal misses out and fresh faces like Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma join, the team will need a steady leader to mentor the youngsters. And yes, while Gill can bat, he represents a steadying influence in a squad that blends youth with experienced T20 campaigners.

 

Strategy Beyond the Bat

 

In cricket, leadership will no longer just be about runs scored and wickets taken; leadership is about vision. Gill combines analytical thinking with instinct and offers a modern-day view of cricketing leadership. He can also be the captain’s translator to the other players, help the captain in terms of tactical decisions like batting orders or where to position fielders, and assist younger players with their transition into the continental area.

 

Furthermore, a player who has just mastered English conditions brings a new insight into managing the pressures of unknown climates. There may not be a comparison between the Asia Cup venues in the UAE and England, but very little can compare with flexibility, mindset, and preparation. Gill’s cool and composed demeanor may just be the placebo India needs when it is playing high-pressure matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh.

 

FAQs

 

Q1. When will the Asia Cup 2025 start?

The tournament begins on September 7 in the United Arab Emirates.

 

Q2. Why didn’t Yashasvi Jaiswal cut the Asia Cup this year?

He missed out due to selection choices, but he is on the standby list.

 

Q3. Has Shubman Gill played T20Is recently?

Gill steps back into the T20I fold after a gap following his last game in July 2024.