Aakash Chopra says 2nd T20I against South Africa is going to be critical game for Shubman Gill

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes the second T20I against South Africa is going to be a critical game for Shubman Gill. The Indian vice-captain was dismissed after a two-ball four in the opening game at Cuttack.

Gill has not even scored a fifty in the last 13 T20Is since he has been given the vice-captaincy onus. The right-hander has been a hit-and-miss in the shortest format and he hasn’t been able to carry his IPL 2025 form. Gill had scored 650 runs while leading the Gujarat Titans in the previous season.

“Absolutely critical match for Shubman Gill. He is going home. He comes from Chandigarh, and he needs to score the runs. There is a monkey on his back. He needs to dislodge that monkey. A question looming large is why Shubman Gill is required,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra reckons it would become difficult for Gill to remain in the team without scoring runs.

“There are many options available for the opening slot, and that is why the pressure is real. Yes, he is the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team in T20Is, and the ODI and Test captain, an absolute gun player, the superstar India are investing in, but without runs, it will become difficult to remain in the team,” he added.

On the other hand, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed after scoring only 12 runs in the series opener. Chopra said it would be imperative for SKY to get amongst the runs.

“Suryakumar Yadav needs to score runs because, ultimately, runs are required. You cannot drive your wagon properly without any captain’s runs. Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t scored runs for a long time when he has played for India. It’s not like he has been seen playing very badly,” he said. 

The former Delhi cricketer said a big knock is needed from Suryakumar Yadav’s blade.

“In the last match as well, he played a flick for a six, and hit sixes similarly in Australia, but a big knock is required. Then the wagon comes on track. It doesn’t make a difference whether you win the toss or not because this team doesn’t lose, but it’s necessary for Suryakumar Yadav to score runs,” Chopra observed.

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