Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said it would be interesting to note how Shubman Gill will adjust to T20I cricket after he was picked as the vice-captain in the Asia Cup squad on Tuesday. Gill scored 650 runs in IPL 2025 at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.87 and played a key role in leading Gujarat Titans to the playoffs.

However, Gill last played a T20I match in Indian colors in July 2024 against Sri Lanka and since then Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have done a good job while opening the innings.

Gill has scored 578 runs in 21 T20I matches at a strike rate of 139.27 and Pathan said the batter’s strike rate is lesser than other batters.

“In international cricket, Shubman Gill’s strike-rate is a little lesser. If he can increase it, that responsibility will be on him. It will be important to see how he adapts himself to this format. Batting regularly with a good strike-rate in T20 cricket in Ahmedabad and other pitches which are slow, this would be a challenge for him and I will look forward to see how he does,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel. 

On the other hand, Pathan reckons Gill’s inclusion is an indication towards future leadership planning of the team. Gill recently led India in five Test matches and aggregated 754 runs in the series.

“I had told that this selection would be divided into two things, whether you do the right thing or plan for the future. Do you go with both or go on one side? The selectors have made it clear that they want to do the right thing but there is also future planning. Shubman Gill comes in and becomes the vice-captain, which is a clear indication of what the future planning is. Suryakumar Yadav is 34 and you have to look forward as well,” he said.

India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium on September 10.