SA vs IND 2023: There is inconsistency when it comes to Shubman Gill’s T20I numbers – Aakash Chopra

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Shubman Gill’s consistency in the T20I format. After being rested from the five-match T20I series against Australia, Gill could not grab his opportunities in the two matches against South Africa.

Gill was dismissed without troubling the scorers in the second game at Gqeberha as he was plumbed in front by Lizaad Williams with an incoming delivery. The Indian opener was once again trapped in front of the wickets by Keshav Maharaj in the third game at Johannesburg while trying to play the sweep shot after scoring only eight runs.

In fact, on replays the ball was missing the leg stump but Gill didn’t go for the review and decided to go back to the dressing without challenging the umpire’s call.

Gill has scored 312 runs at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 145.12 in his short T20I career of 13 matches. The right-hander had scored 890 runs in 17 matches for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023 and ended as the leading run-getter of the tournament but has failed to replicate the same form at the International level.

“There is inconsistency when it comes to Shubman Gill’s T20I numbers. There are 1-2 big knocks, but around it there is nothing but low scores. Also, against left-arm spin, it seems like there is an issue for him. To my understanding, he is trapped by the left-arm spinners inside the powerplay,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

On the other hand, Tilak Varma was dismissed for a golden duck in the third T20I. The left-hander had scored 29 runs in the second game but he could not make the most of his start. The renowned commentator reckons Varma should be cautious as he is letting his chances slip.

“Tilak Varma is missing opportunities. He will have to be careful, because his Ireland series was not good, and even here he is missing out while batting at No.3. Against Australia, he had to bat a little down the order. No. 3 is already a difficult place to hold because it is still Kohli’s. I think that both Rohit and Kohli will play in the 2024 T20 World Cup,” Chopra added.

Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma was dismissed via hit-wicket after scoring four runs. The wicket-keeper had returned with scores of 35 and 24 in the two matches against Australia.

Speaking on who could keep wickets for India in T20Is, Chopra said, “Jitesh Sharma has also missed out on opportunities in a way, but he bats down the order. If he does not do it, then there will be someone else who will be ready. Maybe Rishabh Pant after he is fully fit or KL Rahul or Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan.”

“Maybe not Ishan Kishan, because he does not play down the order much. Maybe if Samson bats at No.5 for RR, then he has a chance, but I don’t think it will happen. So, Jitesh Sharma is kind of a frontrunner, but not a frontrunner,” he concluded.

The first ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Sunday.