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India legend Ravichandran Ashwin raised a key concern over Shubman Gill after the third T20I against South Africa on Sunday, December 14. The Men in Blue won by seven wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
They were chasing only 118 runs for victory and finished the same in 15.5 overs. However, Shubman Gill's poor form continued as he faced yet another failure. The vice-captain of India's T20I side managed a run-a-ball 28 before being dismissed. So far in the series, he has had scores of 4, 0, and 28.
Ashwin reckoned that it would be difficult for the team to drop the vice-captain to bring someone like Sanju Samson in. While he stated that Gill should be given a fair run as the vice-captain, he also added that a decision could be made if he failed to perform in the remainder of the series.
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"I am a little concerned. Shubman is not only the opener but also the vice-captain. How will you remove the vice-captain? It is going to be an incredibly tough decision. If you have to take that decision, inside this series you can't bring Samson because it does not look nice to drop the vice-captain. You can ask whether vice-captains have been dropped in the past or not. But he has been taken and should be given a fair run. If he does not perform in the five games, then a decision will have to be made," he said on 'Ash ki Baat'.
Ashwin also reflected that the team should have a clear idea about their playing XI and squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup by this time. The mega event is set to begin in February next year and is not far away. While the bowling looks almost sorted, the Indian legend felt that the debate would remain between Gill and Samson.
"You should be knowing your best XI and best squad (for T20 WC) by now. I don't think there are any doubts in the bowling. That department is sealed. Another good message is that Harshit Rana is showing what he is capable of. He is executing what he is good at. The only question is, if Shubman doesn't make the runs, should he be there or should Samson be playing. The only unfortunate thing from here on I do not want to see is Gill making runs at a lesser strike rate. That should not happen."
Gill has managed just 291 runs in his last 15 T20I innings at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26.
Ravichandran Ashwin believes India can choke teams at the 2026 T20 World Cup with the best bowling attack
Ravichandran Ashwin also believed that India could choke teams and bowl them out for low scores at the 2026 T20 World Cup if they played with the same bowling combination they used in the third T20I in South Africa, along with Jasprit Bumrah.
"What happened today, I want to see in the World Cup. If you play this attack with Bumrah, if you play this combination, you will bowl at teams for low scores. There is a high possibility you will choke teams. We will get that choice, and we must take it. The captain and coach should think of going with the best bowling attack. If the batters can take a little more responsibility with Hardik in that squad, I am sure you can play your best bowling attack," he said.
While Bumrah did not play the third T20I, the rest of the bowlers put up a stunning display. Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav bagged two wickets each, while all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube bagged a wicket apiece as well.
Ashwin reflected that the Indian management had some worry about the batting, but must look to play their best bowling attack at the World Cup.
"The Indian team management is worried about the batting somewhere deep inside their head. I don't know what that worry is because we have been in fabulous form in T20 cricket with both bat and bowl. Play your best bowlers. You will lose sometimes because it is a high-risk game. You go into the World Cup with the best bowling attack, and then if you lose, you lose. But put the best men in the park."
India are the defending champions, having won the 2024 T20 World Cup by beating South Africa in the final.
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