Cricketer-turned-commentator Irfan Pathan believes the forthcoming T20I series against South Africa is an excellent opportunity for India vice-captain and opening batsman Shubman Gill to establish himself in the 20-overs squad. Gill has been out of action since suffering a nerve-related neck injury during the first Test of the ongoing all-format series; he will return for the shortest format.
According to Irfan, the BCCI has marketed Shubman Gill as an all-format player based on his IPL performances.
The former all-rounder believes this is a crucial series for the full-time Test and ODI captain. The veteran all-rounder considered that five games at the top of the order were plenty for a player of Gill’s magnitude, given that the series will be played primarily on batting-friendly pitches.
“Shubman Gill needs to cement his place in 20-over cricket. We believe he is an all-format player. We have seen how he performs in T20 cricket in our league [IPL]. However, here, he has a chance to cement his place,” stated Irfan in a video on his YouTube channel.
“There will be slight pressure for sure, but he is a good player, and I hope he performs well in this T20I series. He is coming after a slight injury and will get a lot of opportunities. Five opportunities are a lot, and he will get those opportunities on good pitches. He will like many pitches, where you will get to see pace and bounce, like the Dharamsala pitch,” he added.
India and South Africa will play five Twenty20 Internationals beginning on December 9, with the opening match taking place at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium. The Men in Blue won the ODI leg by 2-1 after getting thrashed in the two-match red-ball series. The T20Is will now determine the overall winner of the all-format circuit.
Gill is the vice-captain of the T20I team, which is led by Suryakumar Yadav. He will be making a return to competitive cricket along with ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who had sustained a left quadriceps injury during the title-winning 2025 Asia Cup.
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