There is a distinct irony in India’s comprehensive victory at Dharamsala on Sunday. On paper, a seven-wicket win with 25 balls to spare looks like total dominance. But cricket, especially the T20 variety, is rarely played on paper. While the scoreboard showed a comfortable chase of South Africa’s paltry 117, the optics at the crease told a worrying story of contrasting philosophies. On one end, you had Abhishek Sharma, a blur of intent, smashing 35 off 18 balls. On the other hand, Vice-Captain Shubman Gill played a knock that felt like a relic from a bygone era: 28 runs off 28 balls.
The team management will have to face a very difficult decision as to whether the badge of Vice-Captain is protecting a tactical liability, as they head into their next game against Lucknow on Wednesday, December 17.
The Friction Between Classical Technique and Modern Velocity
The fundamental issue isn’t just that Gill is failing; it is how he is failing. Under Gautam Gambhir, this Indian unit is designed to be a high-octane machine, prioritising impact over accumulation. Abhishek Sharma embodies this, striking at a terrifying 185.7 in the Powerplay this year with 44 sixes to his name. He is the engine the team wants.
Gill, conversely, operates with the mechanics of an ODI anchor trying to survive in a T20 drag race. His tendency to consume dot balls early to “get his eye in” is actively hurting the team’s Powerplay maximisation. In 2025, he has been dismissed inside the first six overs eight times, yet has only managed to hit two sixes in that phase. When he tries to artificially manufacture the “high intent” demanded by the management, his classical shape falls apart, leading to soft dismissals. He is currently caught between his natural game and the team’s instructions, excelling at neither.
Ignoring The Explosive Bench Strength is a Statistical Gamble
The most damning argument against retaining Gill is the opportunity cost sitting in the dugout: Sanju Samson. Cricket is a game of resource management, and right now, India is keeping a Ferrari in the garage to drive a sedan. Before Gill’s reintegration into the top order at the Asia Cup, Samson was opening with devastating effect.
What can be seen by looking at statistics is how much less efficient Samson is compared to Gill. While Samson has played only 17 innings, he has already recorded three centuries and a strike-rate of 178.77, and an average of 32.63. At 36 innings, it has been long enough for Gill to be able to prove himself as an efficient player as well, but what we see is that Gill’s ability to score at a strike rate of 138.59 is way behind where Samson is.
Samson has a lot of explosive power and is capable of hitting big shots right off the bat, while Abhishek Sharma is volatile and unpredictable with his batting. What India is doing by continuing to use Gill in place of Samson, who is far better statistically over the past 15 games in which Gill has gone without recording a half-century, is not just settling on being mediocre; they are actually intentionally limiting their options and using a statistically inferior player.
Leadership Badges Cannot Be Immunity Idols in High-Performance Sport.
There is a dangerous sentiment in cricket that the Vice-Captain is undroppable. This is a fallacy that modern teams must reject. Gill’s primary job description is ‘Opener,’ not ‘Deputy.’ If the primary role is being compromised, the secondary title becomes irrelevant.
Indian cricket lacks nothing in terms of leadership; with Suryakumar Yadav leading the team and several experienced players, including Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, India does not have to fear when making on-the-field decisions. While Gill’s position as vice captain may help protect him from evaluation based solely on his performance, for India to get to the 2026 T20 World Cup, there will be no time for anything other than brutal pragmatism. So if the side requires a hitter like Sanju Samson, then India’s hierarchy must be willing to put aside a struggling vice-captain for the good of the XI.
Key Takeaway
In modern T20 cricket, an anchor who cannot accelerate is simply a drag on the hull; India must choose velocity over hierarchy.
FAQs
- Why is Shubman Gill’s place in the T20 team being questioned?
Gill has struggled with a low strike rate (137.26 in 2025) and a lack of aggressive intent, which clashes with India’s current high-risk, high-reward strategy.
- Who is the likely replacement if Gill is dropped?
Sanju Samson is the prime candidate, having superior stats as an opener (SR 178.77) and recent successes, including three centuries in the role.
- What is the main tactical difference between Gill and Abhishek Sharma?
Abhishek Sharma attacks immediately (SR 185+ in Powerplay), while Gill consumes deliveries to settle in, often leaving the team behind the required tempo.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
Step into the world of cricket with JeetBuzz News—where expert opinions, trending Blogs, and behind-the-scenes insights meet all your favorite topics. Stay informed, stay entertained, and never miss the stories shaping the cricketing world—only on JeetBuzz News!
