Who said what - top 5 expert reactions on Shubman Gill's poor T20 form after IND vs SA 2025 2nd T20I ft. Robin Uthappa

India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill has come under heavy scrutiny after another disappointing performance in the second match of the five-game series against South Africa. The game was played on Thursday, December 11, in New Chandigarh.

After being put in to bat, the Proteas rode on Quinton de Kock’s 90 to post 213/4 in 20 overs. In reply, India suffered an early setback as Shubman Gill was dismissed for a golden duck in the opening over by Lungi Ngidi. The Men in Blue never gained momentum and were bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs, suffering a 51-run defeat.

With India enduring a frustrating result, questions have intensified around Gill’s form. In 2025, the right-handed batter has featured in 14 T20Is, scoring just 263 runs at a modest average of 23.90 and a strike rate of 142.93, with a highest score of 47.

As the 26-year-old continues to struggle in the shortest format, here’s a look at five expert reactions to his poor T20 form after the IND vs SA 2nd T20I in 2025.

#1 Aakash Chopra

Following Shubman Gill’s failure in the second T20I, former India opener Aakash Chopra remarked that while a vice-captain often gets a longer rope, there’s a limit to it. He acknowledged that questions are now being raised about Gill’s form and stressed that the batter needs to deliver in the remaining three games of the series. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said:

"I will first talk about the Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill. In the last match, at least it seemed like he was desperate and got out while trying to run fast, but he couldn't even open his account this time. Generally, a vice-captain gets a longer rope, but for how long?"

"Obviously, there are questions, and you cannot hide those questions. You cannot even hide yourself from those questions. You cannot ignore them. He is the vice-captain for sure, and you want him to score runs and remain a part of the team's core, but he will have to score runs in the next three games,” he added.

#2 Irfan Pathan

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan pointed out that Shubman Gill is going through a rough patch, and the pressure on him will only increase with the World Cup approaching, especially with Sanju Samson waiting on the bench, not because of poor form but because of the team combination. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan said:

"The main topic is of Shubman Gill. He is the vice-captain and the World Cup is nearing. But runs are not coming and he is struggling for form. He must make runs if he is to cement his spot in the T20I side, else he will be more under pressure. Gill got out for a first-ball duck in the second T20I but it’s not his game to step out and play as he did in the first. Whenever he doesn’t make runs, the pressure will pile on because Sanju Samson is currently benched. He is not benched due to form but owing to the position. Samson will keep coming into contention whenever Gill doesn’t score.”

#3 Robin Uthappa

2007 T20 World Cup winner Robin Uthappa also weighed in on Shubman Gill’s poor form. The 40-year-old noted that Gill appears to be trying different things and is attempting to match Abhishek Sharma’s tempo, which doesn’t suit his natural game. Speaking on Star Sports after India’s defeat, he said [as quoted by India Today]:

"It’s not working for Shubman at this point, because I also think he’s trying different things. I think he’s trying initially to go toe-to-toe at the same pace that Abhishek is going: that is not how he bats. That is not how he’s been successful in T20 cricket.”

“How he has been successful is by taking that time, those first 10 balls, absorbing the pressure, getting in, and then once he reaches 15-20 balls, I don’t think there is a batter like Shubman Gill until he gets himself out. That’s the kind of batter he is. And I think that’s what works for him in T20 cricket,” he added.

#4 Dodda Ganesh

Former India pacer Dodda Ganesh also weighed in, questioning how long the management will continue backing Shubman Gill while keeping someone like Sanju Samson out of the XI. He wrote in a post on X:

“How long a rope for Gill? Remember, you are keeping someone like Samson out of the XI.”

#5 Shaun Pollock

Former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock suggested that Shubman Gill’s struggles may be linked to a lack of match practice. Gill sustained a neck injury on Day 2 of the first Test in Kolkata, forcing him to miss the remainder of that match, the second Test, and the subsequent ODI series. He only returned to the squad for the T20Is. During a discussion on Cricbuzz, Pollock said:

"Surya is not getting enough runs, so he may be short of form. Shubman Gill was in good touch but then he misses the two Tests and doesn't play the ODIs. And then now what cricket are you coming in with? For now, South Africa have to play on it. They've to try and take advantage of the top three besides Abhishek aren't performing, and they need to keep the pressure on them."

Overall, Gill has played 35 T20Is, scoring 841 runs at an average of 28.03 and a strike rate of 140.40, including three half-centuries and a century.