“Such a formula should be valid for everyone” - Mohammad Kaif cites Karun Nair’s example after Shubman Gill flops in IND vs SA 2025 3rd T20I

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that opportunities must be equal for all players, irrespective of their age and reputation, following Shubman Gill's struggling run in the T20I side over the last few months. The vice-captain struggled once again during the ongoing home series against South Africa, scoring a run-a-ball 28 in the seven-wicket win in Dharamshala on Sunday, December 14.

Shubman Gill has had a lengthy run as Team India's T20I opener ever since coming back into the side as the vice-captain in the 2025 Asia Cup. Since then, he has featured in 15 matches, scoring only 291 runs at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26.

Only a few months back, veteran Indian batter Karun Nair was dropped from the Test side after featuring in four Tests in England. The selectors opted to bring in Devdutt Padikkal into the red-ball setup, as they felt Nair had his fair share of chances during the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, where he scored 205 runs at an average of 25.63.

Mohammad Kaif called out the discrepancy in the system, and opined that all players must be treated equally.

"When Karun Nair was dropped after the England tour even though he had scored a fifty in his last innings, it was said that the time has gone where one player would be backed for too long, or given the extra 3-4 innings, because there are so many good players waiting. When you have applied such a formula, it should be valid for everyone. If you want to have a successful reign, you have to set an example," Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

He urged the selectors to take a bold call by dropping Shubman Gill, just so that the fans understand that the system is fair.

"Even though the heart is not accepting it that Gill, despite being such a good player, is not scoring runs, everyone is saying that he will make a comeback. But sometimes, you have to sacrifice to set an example and win over the fans. Whether it be Gill, Surya. Look, even Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were not spared, look at them, they took retirement," he added.

Shubman Gill made a return in the T20I series after sustaining a neck injury early in the Test series against South Africa. The ace batter missed the second Test and the entirety of the subsequent ODI series, before his inclusion in the T20I team was subject to fitness.

"All of this happens when the morale is low" - Mohammad Kaif dissects Shubman Gill's wicket in IND vs SA 2025 3rd T20I

Shubman Gill was on the cusp of recording successive ducks after being trapped LBW by Marco Jansen in the second over. However, he survived after taking a review, but he was far from his best during his stay at the crease after the early close call.

The opener scored four boundaries off his first 12 deliveries, but was confined to a shell in the second half of his innings. After being restricted by the South African pacers in the middle overs, he was eventually castled by Marco Jansen in the 12th over of the run chase.

Mohammad Kaif outlined how Shubman Gill's lack of confidence and mounting pressure led to his dismissal in the contest.

"Shubman Gill was early into his back and across movement when he was dismissed. He got into position even before the ball was bowled. His legs froze when it was time to play the ball, and he went at it with just his hands. So, all of this happens when the morale is low, when the big knocks are not coming, and when you try too hard. He must be thinking this is a do-or-die innings, he needs it for his career, and it depends on it," Kaif said.

"After he got out, he looked to the sky, and he must have been thinking that he wasted such a good opportunity. In England, his footwork and everything was fine, and he scored a lot of runs. When you are on autopilot, you just need to focus on the ball, and the footwork, and the rest takes care of itself," he added.

The spotlight remains firm on Shubman Gill as India head into the fourth T20I of the series, with an eye on an unassailable lead. The contest is set to take place at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, December 17.