Aakash Chopra questions Shubman Gill’s approach after IND vs SA 2025 1st T20I

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Shubman Gill’s approach in T20Is. India won the opening T20I against South Africa at the Barabati Cricket Stadium, Cuttack on Tuesday by 101 runs but Gill was dismissed for a 2-ball 4.

Chopra reckons the Indian vice-captain is trying to emulate Sanju Samson’s approach at the top of the order but he should back his own method. Gill has been a hit and miss in T20Is since he has been appointed as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy. The pressure is surely mounting on the right-hander as Sanju Samson is not getting his chances in the final XI.

“What is Shubman Gill trying to do? I ask this question because it seems like he doesn’t play like this, but is trying to play like that. Why would he be doing that? It seems like he is too hasty to hit. The way he got out in Cuttack, he hit a four off the first ball, and then he jumped out and hit the next ball,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel. 

Chopra highlighted that Sanju Samson had done a decent job while opening the innings as he had scored three centuries.

“What could be the reasons behind that? He is feeling slightly obliged. Sanju Samson was the player who was opening before him. Sanju Samson used to score runs at a strike rate of 175. He scored three centuries as well. Of course, he got out early as well, but has three centuries to his name and a strike rate of 175. You can’t take that away from Sanju Samson,” he added.

Gill scored a four on the first ball he faced but holed out to Marco Jansen at mid-off on the very next delivery.

The renowned commentator noted that Gill is trying to bat overaggressively in T20Is as India is targeting scores over 250 in the shortest format.

“India were also running close to 250-275. He is feeling the pressure of two things. Firstly, because Sanju Samson plays like that, he too should play like that because he has come in his place, and that is always spoken about,” he said. 

The former Delhi cricketer highlighted that social media won’t cut Gill any slack even though he is returning from an injury.

“Social media must be on fire today as well, although you have to cut him some slack because he was playing his first competitive game since the neck sprain he had at the Eden Gardens. So you can be slightly undercooked. However, social media won’t agree with that,” Chopra observed.

The second T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Thursday.