- Gill’s IPL 2025 form makes a strong case, but his year-long T20I absence hurts his chances.
- Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson’s explosive partnership fits India’s preferred T20 style.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal is direct competition for any back-up opener slot.
- Squad size limits make it hard to accommodate all four openers without sacrificing balance elsewhere.
Shubman Gill’s recent batting exploits make a compelling case for his return to India’s T20I side, but the reality of the current squad dynamics paints a more complicated picture. As India gears up for the 2025 Asia Cup in September—a key tune-up for the 2026 T20 World Cup—the selectors face a decision that’s less about talent and more about fit.
Gill’s Recent Form Strengthens His Case
Gill’s numbers in the IPL 2025 were exceptional: 650 runs at a strike rate close to 156, balancing consistency with aggression. This performance reinforces his status as a long-term cornerstone of Indian cricket.
In Tests, he has already broken records while captaining India to a drawn series in England, and in ODIs he was pivotal in both the 2023 World Cup final run and the 2025 Champions Trophy win. His credentials across formats are unquestionable.
Yet, despite his standing in Tests and ODIs, Gill has not played a T20I since August 2024—largely due to India’s packed schedule and a shifting selection focus.
How the Top Order Evolved Without Him
In Gill’s absence, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have seized the opening slots.
- Abhishek Sharma – Now the top-ranked T20I batter, he smashed 279 runs at a strike rate of nearly 220 in the January 2025 series against England.
- Sanju Samson – While he struggled in that series, he had hit three centuries in five T20Is just prior. His dual role as wicketkeeper gives him additional selection weight.
This pairing offers maximum powerplay damage, aligning with India’s aggressive T20 template. Dropping one of them to accommodate Gill could mean altering a winning formula—India have won 17 of their 20 T20Is since lifting the 2024 World Cup.
The Yashasvi Jaiswal Factor
Yashasvi Jaiswal is another name in the mix. Like Gill, he hasn’t played a T20I since July 2024 due to Test commitments. However, in India’s last full-strength T20I squad—the 2024 T20 World Cup—Jaiswal was chosen ahead of Gill as back-up opener. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from T20Is, Jaiswal is once again a frontrunner to open.
In terms of IPL 2025 output, there’s not much separating Gill and Jaiswal, which makes this a straight selection face-off if both can’t be accommodated.
Squad Size and Selection Math
The Asia Cup and the World Cup will both operate on 15-player squad limits. That leaves little space for luxury picks, especially when balance across bowling types and middle-order roles is essential.
If Abhishek and Samson remain first-choice openers, the selectors may have to pick between Gill and Jaiswal for the back-up opener slot. Samson’s wicketkeeping advantage and Abhishek’s explosive form make them hard to displace.
For Gill to break back in, selectors must believe that:
- India need a more stable, adaptable opener for certain match-ups or conditions.
- His current form outweighs the value of continuity in the current opening pair.
With the Asia Cup final set for September 28 and a home Test series against West Indies starting just four days later, the scheduling squeeze continues to influence squad decisions. If Gill misses the Asia Cup, it doesn’t rule him out for the 2026 World Cup, but it would mean he enters the tournament year with limited T20I match practice.
The decision isn’t about whether Gill is good enough—it’s about whether India’s winning T20I structure has room for him right now.
Asia Cup squad scenarios showing where Gill fits and where he doesn’t
Scenario 1 – Status Quo (Gill misses out)
Likely XI:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Rinku Singh
- Hardik Pandya (c)
- Axar Patel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mohammed Siraj
Bench: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, backup seamer
- Reasoning: Current openers stay untouched. Jaiswal is the reserve opener because he was preferred in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad.
- Impact on Gill: No slot available unless injury or rotation happens.
Scenario 2 – Direct Swap (Gill replaces Jaiswal)
Likely XI: Same as above, but Gill is the bench opener.
- Reasoning: Selectors trust Gill’s IPL 2025 form and long-term potential.
- Impact: Keeps Abhishek/Samson pairing, but Gill is the insurance policy.
- Risk: Gill might not play a single match unless a top-order batter is injured or rested.
Scenario 3 – Tactical Rebalance (Gill starts)
Likely XI:
- Shubman Gill
- Abhishek Sharma
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Rinku Singh
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Hardik Pandya (c)
- Axar Patel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Reasoning: Management wants one “stable yet aggressive” opener alongside a power-hitter to handle tougher pitches or big chases.
- Impact: Samson drops down the order, Jaiswal likely omitted.
- Risk: Breaks a high-scoring combination that’s been working.
Scenario 4 – Expanded Squad (Gill + Jaiswal)
- Reasoning: If selectors temporarily allow a 16-man Asia Cup squad for experimentation before trimming to 15 for the World Cup, both Gill and Jaiswal can be carried.
- Impact: More rotation options, but one of them will still be surplus in the playing XI.
Key decision pressure points:
- Do selectors stick with India’s ultra-aggressive powerplay model, or add a “sheet anchor” type?
- Is IPL 2025 form enough to override 12 months of T20I absence?
- How much do they value Gill’s potential to be a 2026 World Cup starter versus his immediate fit?
Gill vs Jaiswal T20 comparison
Gill vs Jaiswal T20 comparison using IPL 2025 and last full T20I data as the selectors are likely to view it:
1. Strike Rate & Scoring Tempo
- Shubman Gill (IPL 2025): 650 runs | SR 156 | Boundary % ~20%
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (IPL 2025): 612 runs | SR 162 | Boundary % ~23%
Read: Jaiswal edges Gill in raw strike rate and boundary frequency, especially early on. Gill is quick, but Jaiswal’s first-10-ball intent is higher.
2. Powerplay Impact (Overs 1-6)
- Gill: Avg SR ~144 | Low dismissal rate in PP
- Jaiswal: Avg SR ~158 | Higher dismissal risk but often sets tone with 30+ PP scores
Read: Gill is safer and steadier; Jaiswal is riskier but more explosive. India’s recent T20 model has favoured the latter.
3. Spin vs Pace Match-Ups
- Gill: Excellent vs pace (SR ~164), slightly slower vs spin (SR ~138) but low dismissal rate.
- Jaiswal: Attacks both pace (SR ~160) and spin (SR ~152) but with more variability.
Read: Gill offers reliability against pace-heavy attacks; Jaiswal offers more 360° aggression.
4. Recent T20I Usage
- Gill: Last T20I – July 2024; was a reserve in 2024 T20 World Cup.
- Jaiswal: Last T20I – July 2024; chosen as reserve opener ahead of Gill in that WC squad.
Read: Jaiswal already has selection momentum on his side.
5. Role Flexibility
- Gill: Prefers opening; can bat at No. 3 in a pinch but not his strongest role.
- Jaiswal: Primarily opener, but has been used at No. 3 in domestic T20s with impact.
Selector’s Dilemma
- If they want explosive powerplays → Jaiswal fits better.
- If they want a more adaptable, lower-risk opener who can bat deep → Gill gets the nod.
