India suffered a 51-run defeat to South Africa, marking their second-largest loss in T20 history. This defeat has raised concerns regarding the form of India’s captain and vice-captain, who are struggling to score runs. As the teams transition from Punjab to Himachal Pradesh for the third T20I in Dharamshala, they will compete in a five-match series that is currently tied.
The hosts seek tranquility amid the backdrop of Indian cricket’s turmoil. The 0-2 loss in the Test series highlighted India’s weaknesses in red-ball cricket, though a victory in the ODI series marked a comeback for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, whose futures had been uncertain. The T20s were anticipated to be a relief, as they are India’s strongest format, ahead of the World Cup defense preparations. However, the struggles of Surya and Shubman are becoming a concern.
Mullanpur presented a key opportunity for Indian leaders, facing a challenging 200+ target on a dew-afflicted pitch. However, both Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav faced early dismissals, with Gill scoring a golden duck and Suryakumar lasting just four balls. Their recent performances have been concerning, with Suryakumar averaging 14.35 and scoring only 201 runs in the past 12 months, while Gill averaged 23.9 with 263 runs in 14 matches. Neither player has achieved a 50+ score in over a year.
Gill urgently needs to establish his worth despite a better performance compared to Suryakumar, who is impacting India’s T20 World Cup preparation. With only eight games left before the tournament, removing the popular captain is improbable. In contrast, Gill is seen as replaceable, having previously seemed out of contention. His recent success, including a 2-2 series draw in England as Test captain, a player of the series award, and being appointed ODI captain, has led to his inclusion in the T20 setup as vice-captain and opener, primarily due to his IPL performance.
India’s decision to replace Sanju Samson with Shubman Gill in the playing XI may have disrupted their successful run in T20 cricket, having won 11 of 14 matches recently. Gill has struggled with adapting to different formats, suffering a neck injury in a Test against South Africa and showing a decline in T20 performance. The challenges he faces highlight a trend where modern players are often forced to prioritize certain formats over all-format participation, unlike past players such as Australia’s Travis Head and England’s Harry Brook.
Matters are complicated for Gill, as both Suryakumar and coach Gautam Gambhir encourage an aggressive playing style, supported by a strong batting lineup of all-rounders. Gill’s improved technique has allowed for easier run-scoring during the opening powerplay, yet his recent attempts to attack appear forced, as seen in his dismissal in Cuttack. With Suryakumar struggling, India needs improved performance from their top order to avoid making their selection seem unwise. Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate expressed concern over frequent early wickets and affirmed the urgency for change with eight games remaining before the World Cup, as the pressure continues to mount with each underwhelming performance.
