• Source:JND

Shubman Gill Stats: Indian vice-captain in T20Is, Shubman Gill, has been one of the few players in the country touted as an all-format cricketer. Gill's ability to adjust across all formats stands out; however, his recent run in T20Is has been a sign of concern for the Indian team management. Notably, India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar appointed Gill as Suryakumar Yadav's deputy, which made him an automatic pick in the format.

Interestingly, the 26-year-old replaced wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson as an opener, which became a talking point among experts and fans on social media. Sanju, while opening the batting, did reasonably well in the format, scoring 522 runs in 17 matches, which included three centuries.

On the other hand, Gill has no fifties with a high score of 47 as he has crossed 20s only twice. In his last 14 T20I innings, Gill has scored just 263 runs at an average of 23.90 and a strike rate of 142.93.

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Gill’s prolonged poor form in the format has put the Indian team management in a tight spot. The criticism has become even sharper as India suffered a defeat by a margin of over 50 runs for the first time at home.

SA Level Series 1-1

South Africa inflicted a 51-run defeat on India in the second T20I at Mullanpur, levelling the five-match series 1-1. Chasing a tricky 214, India couldn't go past 162 in 19.1 overs after a top-order collapse, with Gill getting dismissed for a golden duck and captain Suryakumar Yadav scoring just 5.

Tilak Varma was India's lone bright spot, scoring 62 off 34 balls and anchoring partnerships with Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya, but the lower middle order failed to keep up with the required run rate.

South Africa's bowlers were clinical, with Ottneil Baartman taking 4/24 and Marco Jansen and Lutho Sipamla also picking key wickets.

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Earlier, South Africa posted 213/4, powered by Quinton de Kock's 90 off 46 balls and late finishing from Donovan Ferreira (30*) and David Miller (20*). India's spinners, Chakaravarthy (2/29) and Axar Patel (1/27), offered some control, but the pacers struggled on a flat pitch.

Inputs from Agency


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