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India named a 15-man squad for the next month’s Asia Cup which will be led by Suryakumar Yadav with Shubman Gill named his deputy.
Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill during an ODI against Zimbabwe in 2022. (AFP Photo)
Despite not playing T20I for India for over a year now, Shubman Gill has made a comeback as the team’s vice-captain for the next month’s Asia Cup in UAE. On current form, Gill merits a place in the squad but it has raised a pertinent question: At what spot will the 25-year-old bat in?
Gill has been batting as an opener for his IPL franchise Gujarat Titans as an opener ever since joining them in IPL 2022 and has been scoring bucketful of runs and was the Orange Cap winner in 2023. His inclusion as a vice-captain means Gill will be part of the playing XI and either of the two openers – Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson – will have to sit out.
However, on Tuesday, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar dropped a major hint that it will be Samson who may have to give up his spot despite his terrific run as T20I opener for the past year or so.
And legendary India offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin is confident that Samson will be dropped.
“What will make it sadder is that you have announced Gill as the vice-captain, so Sanju Samson’s place is also under a little threat. Sanju is not going to play. Shubman Gill will play – him at no. 3 and Sanju opening will not happen either. Gill open the batting. Jitesh Sharma has done so well,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.
While Gill made a comeback, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer were ignored.
“Congratulations for Shubman Gill for becoming the vice-captain, a happy day for the Gill household. If I was Jaiswal and Shreyas, I would count myself extremely unlucky,” Ashwin said.
“I understand Shubman Gill’s selection; he’s the vice-captain and scored a lot of runs for the Gujarat Titans in IPL. He has credentials to be picked in the T20I setup,” he added.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has been recalled after playing a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning their maiden IPL earlier this year. For Ashwin, the wicketkeeper-batter has earned his spot.
“I am really happy for Jitesh Sharma – a well-earned place. He played a clutch knock for RCB against LSG. You have to remember that finishing is not an easy job. You need to have power and used to hitting fours and sixes at will plus you need to clever in picking which bowler to target, whom to play safe, which areas of ground to target, reading wicket. In that regard, Jitesh has played roles in a very tough position. So very happy for him,” he said.
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
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