"Without runs, it will become difficult to remain in the team" - Aakash Chopra on IND vs SA 2025 2nd T20I being critical for Shubman Gill

Former India player Aakash Chopra has highlighted the significance of the second T20I against South Africa for Shubman Gill. While acknowledging that Gill is the Indian vice-captain, he noted that the opener needs to score runs to retain his place in the XI.

The second T20I between India and South Africa will be played in New Chandigarh on Thursday, December 11. Gill was dismissed for a two-ball four in India's 101-run win in the series opener in Cuttack two days ago.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener opined that Gill needs to be among the runs to hold onto his place in the side.

"Absolutely critical match for Shubman Gill. He is going home. He comes from Chandigarh, and he needs to score the runs. There is a monkey on his back. He needs to dislodge that monkey. A question looming large is why Shubman Gill is required," Chopra said. (8:20)

"There are many options available for the opening slot, and that is why the pressure is real. Yes, he is the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team in T20Is, and the ODI and Test captain, an absolute gun player, the superstar India are investing in, but without runs, it will become difficult to remain in the team," he added.

Shubman Gill has aggregated 263 runs at an average of 26.30 in 13 T20I innings in 2025. He hasn't scored a half-century this year, with a 47-run knock in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash against Pakistan being his best effort.

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"It's not like he has been seen playing very badly" - Aakash Chopra on Suryakumar Yadav needing to score runs in IND vs SA 2025 2nd T20I

Suryakumar Yadav scored an 11-ball 12 in the first T20I against South Africa. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Suryakumar Yadav also needs to fire with the bat in the second T20I against South Africa, although he acknowledged that the Indian captain hasn't looked out of touch.

"Suryakumar Yadav needs to score runs because, ultimately, runs are required. You cannot drive your wagon properly without any captain's runs. Suryakumar Yadav hasn't scored runs for a long time when he has played for India. It's not like he has been seen playing very badly," he said. (9:30)

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that SKY, as he is fondly called, has struck sixes with his trademark shots, but needs to play a substantial knock.

"In the last match as well, he played a flick for a six, and hit sixes similarly in Australia, but a big knock is required. Then the wagon comes on track. It doesn't make a difference whether you win the toss or not because this team doesn't lose, but it's necessary for Suryakumar Yadav to score runs," Chopra observed.

Suryakumar Yadav has scored 196 runs at an average of 15.07 in 16 T20I innings in 2025. He also hasn't hit a fifty this year, with an unbeaten 47 in the Asia Cup 2025 group game against Pakistan being his top score.