Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has asked Shubman Gill not to follow Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson and back his own game in T20Is. Gill was dismissed cheaply after scoring only four runs in the opening game against South Africa at the Barabati Cricket Stadium, Cuttack on Tuesday. India went on to register a massive 101-run win but Gill’s form is a concern for the team.

Pathan said Gill can play the anchor role, which is his strength. Gill hasn’t been able to deliver consistently in T20Is since he has been given the vice-captaincy onus. He has not even scored a fifty since returning to the T20I squad and his highest score is 47.

Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “The big question is how to define Shubman Gill’s role. The way Abhishek Sharma plays, Gill might think of performing that way. He hit a four in the very first over and he stepped out after that. It was only the first over and that’s not his game. In T20Is, Gill has never been dismissed stepping out to a pacer. It was the first time it happened. It shows his mindset. It’s simple. He doesn’t have to follow neither Sanju Samson or Abhishek Sharma. He has to be the Shubman Gill which we all know.”

“He times the ball so well and that’s his game. First, he must play some risk-free cricket to accumulate runs and then play according to the pitch and game situation. His strike rate is currently 140. Not that Gill hasn’t scored runs and averages 29 in recent times.”

“Just that, he shouldn’t try to be a different mould. He is an established player and India’s captain. The way I see it, he is trying too much to step out and be aggressive or he is trying to play attacking cricket like Sanju Samson, who is currently benched. Instead, he must stick to his own strengths and try to score runs from there. So far, Gill has scored runs according to his game. If he does anything else, it will be difficult as his consistency will be impacted.”

The former swing bowler said India can’t afford to make a change as it will put Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson under pressure regarding their roles.

“If Samson would have played, he should be opening the innings. He shouldn’t think of replicating Samson as it’s not good for the team. Gill will get chances now. India can’t make changes now as it will do no good for neither Gill nor Samson. Samson will also be under pressure if he plays. If Gill is being backed, he should be himself and shouldn’t try too much,” he added.

Pathan highlighted that South African bowlers were able to come up with the right plans as they bowl a full length against Abhishek Sharma.

“India had lost three wickets early on. The way South Africa bowled initially, it seemed they had a plan. They didn’t pitch the ball up, especially to Abhishek Sharma. They planned to give Abhishek Sharma no room. When did you last see that the powerplay had ended and Abhishek’s score was less than 20? We had seen that. They tied him in knots and dismissed him for less than 20 runs. I was looking forward to it. If there’s a better plan for him, then Abhishek would get the chance to counter it better, especially before the World Cup.”

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