In a significant development ahead of the series finale, Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the fifth and final T20 International against South Africa. The star opener is sidelined due to a toe injury, paving the way for Sanju Samson to take his place at the top of the order.
Injury Blow and Immediate Replacement
Gill sustained the injury during a training session before the fourth T20I in Lucknow, a match that was eventually abandoned due to excessive fog. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to leave him out as a precautionary measure. This opens a crucial opportunity for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who will now open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma in the decisive match.
The timing of this injury adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about India's T20I opening combination. Gill, who is also the captain of the Indian ODI team, was promoted to the role of T20I vice-captain in October. Since then, he has been the first-choice opener but has faced scrutiny over his place, especially with talents like Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings.
Gill's Form Under the Microscope
The 25-year-old's recent performances have come under the scanner. In the two series he has played in Australia and the ongoing rubber against South Africa, Gill has struggled to make a substantial impact. His overall numbers in T20Is this year paint a concerning picture: just 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26.
More notably, Gill has not registered a single score of 50 or more in India colours since July 2024. This dip in form, coupled with the injury, places his position in the team under intense observation, particularly with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.
T20 World Cup Squad Selection: A Tense Wait
This development comes at a critical juncture, with the national selection committee set to announce India's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup on Saturday. Gill's indifferent form, along with that of skipper Suryakumar Yadav, is a major talking point for the defending champions.
Suryakumar Yadav has endured a barren run for almost 14 months across 24 games, making his form another significant concern. However, sources indicate that the selection committee is unlikely to make any shocking, last-minute changes when they pick the squad. The committee will also name the T20 squad for the subsequent tour of New Zealand, which is expected to mirror the World Cup selection.
It is important to note that the BCCI retains the liberty to replace any player from the named 15-member squad until the start of the T20 World Cup on February 7. A precedent was set earlier this year during the Champions Trophy when Varun Chakravarthy replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal after the nature of slow tracks in Dubai was taken into consideration.
All eyes will now be on Sanju Samson's performance as an opener in the fifth T20I and on the selection committee's announcement, which will define India's campaign for the coveted trophy.
