Shubman Gill opened the innings for India in all three ODI matches against Australia but could only manage to score 10, 9 and 24 runs. His total of 43 runs in the away series was the lowest among the top six Indian batters. In the Asia Cup as well, Gill, apart from playing one 47-run knock from 28 balls against Pakistan in the Super Fours match on September 21, failed to do much with the bat. Looking at Gill’s current form with the bat, Indian team management could consider resting him for the first T20I against Australia on Wednesday (October 29) and instead play Sanju Samson as opener.
Samson, who is India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in T20Is, scored three centuries as an opener last year – two of which were in South Africa. He impressed
with his performance as a top-order batter, but Gill’s inclusion in the squad pushed him to bat in the middle order, where he did a decent job, if not good.
Well, giving some rest to Gill could be an ideal thing to do at this point, but chances of that happening are not too high, as he is also the vice-captain of the team.
Apart from Gill, another player whose form will be in focus during the T20I series is captain Suryakumar Yadav. Surya, who is the third-highest run-getter for India in T20Is, has failed to perform in T20Is this year. He was outstanding for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025, where he crossed the 25-run mark in all 16 matches, but for India, he has only scored 100 runs in 12 matches, which is his worst show since he made his T20I debut in March 2021.
While Gill and Surya’s form is a cause of concern, the performance of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Kuldeep Yadav in the recent matches is a big positive, and they all are set to play in the first T20I in Canberra on Wednesday.
Jasprit Bumrah is also part of the T20I squad after being rested for the ODI series, the 31-year-old pacer from Ahmedabad will lead the bowling attack. Arshdeep Singh is all set to partner him with the new ball in Australia, and Hardik Pandya’s absence from the squad could open the doors for Harshit Rana’s selection as well in Australia.
Nitish Kumar Reddy is another pace bowling option for India, and he could bat as well, but his fitness is a concern, as he missed the third ODI due to an injury.
Axar Patel is a sureshot starter, but Washington Sundar might have to warm the bench along with Jitesh Sharma, who didn’t get a game in the Asia Cup either.
India’s likely playing XI for the 1st T20I against Australia: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
