"He has come back with just question marks everywhere" - Aakash Chopra on Team India star after AUS vs IND 2025 T20Is

Former India player Aakash Chopra has noted that Shubman Gill has returned with question marks after his underwhelming performances in the recently concluded T20I series against Australia. He highlighted that the Indian vice-captain would have to put those questions to rest in the Men in Blue's next T20I series against South Africa.

Gill scored an unbeaten 29 off 16 deliveries in the fifth and final T20I against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, November 8. India won the series 2-1 after Saturday's game did not yield a result, with lightning and rain bringing an end to the proceedings when the visitors were 52 for no loss after 4.5 overs.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener opined that Gill didn't live up to expectations in the T20I series against Australia.

"Shubman Gill was batting really well in Canberra, and it rained. After that, he was batting well in the last match in Brisbane, and it rained. Rain came both times he was actually batting well. He looked to be in good form many times in this series, but those many runs weren't scored," Chopra said.

"This tour was like a damp squib for him, where it was expected that he would stamp his authority, but that didn't happen. In fact, he has come back with just question marks everywhere. I, personally, don't feel there are question marks. The home series will give us a little more insight, but the questions will remain because the Indian team plays cricket like that," he added.

Shubman Gill was the second-highest run-scorer in the T20I series between India and Australia. Although the opener scored 132 runs at a decent strike rate of 136.08 in five innings, he wasn't at his fluent best in the three games that yielded a result.

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"Can you even play like that there?" - Aakash Chopra lauds Abhishek Sharma's performances in AUS vs IND 2025 T20Is

Abhishek Sharma was chosen as the Player of the Series. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill's opening partner, didn't alter his game in the T20I series against Australia.

"It was a very difficult question as to how he (Abhishek) would play, whether his playing style would work in Australia. Can you even play like that there? He said it doesn't make a difference, whether (Josh) Hazlewood is there or not, that he would throw his bat, whether (Xavier) Bartlett, (Nathan) Ellis, or whoever else comes," he said.

While acknowledging that Abhishek was dropped a few times in the series, the cricketer-turned-commentator added that the left-handed opener proved why he is the No. 1 T20I batter in the ICC rankings.

"Of course, luck favored him a little, but luck favors the brave. When he went to Australia, he went as the No. 1 batter in the T20I rankings, but the truth is that until someone hits Australia in Australia, they aren't considered No. 1. So the way Abhishek Sharma batted, he has been very good. The rise and rise of Abhishek Sharma is beautiful to watch," Chopra observed.

Abhishek Sharma was the highest run-scorer in the T20I series between India and Australia. He smashed 163 runs at a strike rate of 161.38 in five innings, which earned him his second consecutive Player of the Series award.