The spotlight in Indian cricket often shifts quickly but few players are feeling its heat as intensely as Shubman Gill right now. Once seen as a long-term leader in the shortest format, Shubman Gill is going through a rough patch that has sparked fresh debate about form, responsibility and tough selection calls ahead of a major global tournament.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared his concern over how both Shubman Gill and the team management are handling this phase. While Ashwin feels Shubman Gill should be trusted with the remaining matches against South Africa, he also hinted that patience cannot last forever. If the runs do not come soon, India may be forced into an uncomfortable decision, even if it involves their vice-captain.

Shubman Gill’s numbers this year have not helped his case. He has struggled to convert starts into big scores and has not reached a half-century since reclaiming his place as opener months ago. His average and strike rate are respectable on paper but fall short of expectations for a player leading India’s batting at the top. The pressure has only grown because his promotion to vice-captain reshaped the team, pushing others like Sanju Samson into unfamiliar roles and ending Axar Patel’s leadership stint.

The third T20I against South Africa summed up Shubman Gill’s current situation. He looked confident early on but failed to kick on, eventually falling for a modest score. It was another innings that raised more questions than answers.

R Ashwin pointed out that dropping a vice-captain is never straightforward. Leadership roles carry weight and removing someone in that position sends strong signals within the dressing room. According to him, Shubman Gill has earned a fair run and the management should back him for now. However, once the series is over, hard decisions such as bringing Sanju Samson in place of Shubman Gill may become unavoidable if performances do not improve.

There is also a bigger concern looming for India. With the T20 World Cup just months away, the team still seems unsure about its best playing combination. While the bowling unit looks settled and young players are stepping up, the batting order remains uncertain. Ashwin warned that scoring runs alone will not be enough. If Shubman Gill starts playing cautiously just to protect his spot, it could hurt the team’s aggressive approach.

For Shubman Gill, this phase is about balance. He needs to score runs but he also needs to stay true to the fearless style that earned him trust in the first place. For India, the clock is ticking and clarity cannot be delayed much longer.

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