Shubman Gill Gets IPL Coach’s Backing As Sanju Samson Question Looms: ‘Ye Chalta Hi Rahega…’ | Cricket News

Sanju Samson (left) and Shubman Gill (PTI Photo)

Parthiv Patel, former India opener and Shubman Gill’s batting coach at Gujarat Titans, has offered his backing to the Indian T20I vice-captain ahead of an all-important series against Australia. India play five matches down under, starting Wednesday (October 29), giving enough time to define the future of many stars in the team.

Gill was brought back as the opener and promoted to vice-captain for the 2025 Asia Cup. India won the tournament without losing a single game, but Gill managed only 127 runs in seven innings. His strike-rate was healthy at 151.19, but he had replaced Sanju Samson in the opening position, with the Kerala star made to shift to low down the order by the team management to make way, where his performances faltered too.

JioStar expert Parthiv Patel spoke to the press during a Media Day ahead of the first Australia v India T20I on October 29. News18 CricketNext asked him whether it was too soon to reconsider the tactic already, or will India would do it if Gill’s bad run were to continue for a few more matches in Australia.

“Honestly, first of all, I feel it’s too soon,” Patel said. “Shubman Gill got into the side deservingly after a couple of really good IPL seasons. He’s done well and shown a lot of leadership skills. The good thing about Indian cricket is that we always talk about how ‘someone isn’t there’. Whoever is not there is equally good. Right now, Shubman is getting his chances, and I’m sure he’ll want to make the most of them with big scores,” he added.

Patel believes it’s futile to waste energy on players sitting on the bench.

This will probably be the trend in Indian cricket going forward because of the depth of talent we have. There will always be that question (about who’s playing and who’s missing out). Like earlier, we spoke about Sanju Samson, but even Jitesh Sharma, who isn’t playing, is equally capable. So ye chalta hi rahega (this will keep happening). My only point is we should focus our energy on the players who are currently playing, make sure they keep performing well, because the ones picked are very capable, and those sitting out are just as capable.

Indeed, bringing back Samson, who scored three centuries as a T20I opener, to the top is not the only option for India. A talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal is also sitting on the bench, which would pile a bit of pressure on Gill.

‘I’ll pray that he recovers quickly’: Patel on Shreyas Iyer

Patel, who is in Australia to commentate on the series, said he didn’t have any extra update on Shreyas Iyer, India’s middle-order batter, who is hospitalized in Sydney after picking up a serious spleen laceration injury in the recent ODI against Australia. However, he did share his best wishes for the Mumbaikar.

From my side, I just wish him a speedy recovery. No one wants to get injured on the field like that. I’ll pray that he recovers quickly. I’m in Australia, but I am reading whatever you are. I don’t have anything extra to add.

Catch all the action from the 1st T20 of India’s tour of Australia 2025, tomorrow, October 29, 1:45 PM IST onwards, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.