Does Shubman Gill really deserve a place in India's T20 team?

India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill once again found himself at the center of criticism after a slow-paced innings in the fourth T20I against Australia at Carrara Oval, Gold Coast. Though Gill managed to score 46 runs, his 39-ball stay at the crease left fans and experts questioning his approach in the shortest format.

Gill’s Struggle to Accelerate

Gill began cautiously, scoring just 7 off 8 balls in the first three overs before finding some rhythm with a few boundaries. He reached 26 off 18 by the end of the powerplay, but once the field spread out, the momentum slipped away. Over the next 21 deliveries, he managed only 20 runs, failing to shift gears as India’s innings slowed down. His knock ended in the 15th over when Nathan Ellis dismissed him with a clever slower ball.

India’s Batting Falters Despite Bright Start

While Abhishek Sharma contributed 28 off 21 and Shivam Dube added 22 off 18, neither could capitalize on their starts. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav tried to inject life into the innings with a quick-fire 20 off 10, but India’s scoring rate never quite recovered, leaving them struggling to post a competitive total.

Fans Draw ‘Babar’ Comparison

Social media erupted after Gill’s innings, with fans dubbing it the “Babarfication of Shubman Gill”, likening his slow scoring to Babar Azam’s often-criticised T20 approach. Many also questioned the team management’s decision to alter the successful Abhishek–Samson opening pair to accommodate Gill.

A Lesson in Adaptability

As India looks ahead, the challenge for Gill will be to adapt his natural game to the demands of T20 cricket before the growing chatter begins to affect his confidence across formats.