Gill’s disastrous form continues with golden duck

• Gill out for duck vs South Africa, continuing poor T20I form in 2025.
• Gill averages under 24 in 2025, failing to reach a fifty in 14 innings.
• Gill selected over in-form Samson, adding pressure before T20 World Cup 2026.

Mullanpur, Dec 11: Shubman Gill's difficult run in T20 internationals dipped further on Thursday (December 11) after the Indian vice-captain was dismissed

for a golden duck in the second T20I of the five-match series against South Africa.

Chasing a steep 214, walked out to a thunderous welcome alongside opening partner and Punjab teammate Abhishek Sharma, but the cheers quickly faded as he fell in the opening over at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.

Facing Lungi Ngidi, Gill was undone by a delivery that could easily have belonged in a Test match. The South African pacer hit a perfect length outside off, extracted just enough movement, and forced Gill into a tentative push from the crease. The resulting edge flew straight to Reeza Hendricks at slip, ending Gill's innings before it could begin.

The early blow added to India's pressure in a chase already requiring aggressive batting from the start. The hosts were soon three down inside the powerplay as Abhishek Sharma (17 off 8) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (5 off 4) joined Gill in the dugout, leaving the team reeling at 32/3 in 4 overs.

Pressure Mounts on Gill: No Fifty in 2025, Average Under 24

Gill's numbers in the format this year paint a worrying picture. Since returning to the T20I setup, the 24-year-old has failed to reach a single half century in 14 innings while scoring just 263 runs, averaging 23.90 at a strike rate of 142.93.

Shubman Gill T20I innings in 2025

20*(9), 10(7), 5(8), 47(28), 29(19), 4(3), 12(10), 37*(20), 5(10), 15(12), 46(40), 29*(16), 4(2), 0 (1, on Dec 11, 2025)

While strike rate has not been Gill's biggest issue, his inability to convert starts or give India the stability required at the top has become increasingly concerning.

Selection Tension: Samson Dropped Despite Red-Hot Form

Gill replaced Sanju Samson in the playing XI for this series, a decision that has drawn scrutiny for weeks. Samson, who ended 2024 with three centuries and a strike rate of 180, has also been in strong domestic form in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Despite his runs, Samson has not been backed consistently by the current leadership group of captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir. Meanwhile, Gill has retained his place even as his returns have dipped.

Gill's vice-captaincy status and prior reputation as a long-term investment for India appear to have given him an extended run, but continued failures may force the management to reassess their strategy.

A Difficult Phase, but a Crucial One

Gill's T20I career remains in a transitional phase. Though immensely talented and technically gifted, his role at the top requires both consistency and impact - areas where he has been lacking in recent months.

With a T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, India will soon need clarity on their preferred opening combination. For Gill, the path back to confidence may demand more than just sporadic starts; it may require a return to fundamentals and a clearer plan from the coaching staff regarding his role. For now, the pressure grows heavier, and every innings from here feels more consequential.