Shubman Gill’s recent stint as India’s ODI captain in Australia concluded with a disappointing 1-2 series loss. His personal performance also raised eyebrows, as he managed only 43 runs across three matches. The 26-year-old opener has been juggling leadership roles across various formats and playing non-stop cricket since September 2024. This demanding schedule appears to have taken a toll on his white-ball form this year, a stark contrast to his highly successful Test captaincy in England where he amassed over 750 runs, including four centuries.
His struggles in limited-overs cricket are undeniable. In the recent Asia Cup, where he was vice-captain, Gill managed a mere 127 runs from seven matches, averaging a low 21.16. The subsequent ODI series against Australia offered no reprieve, with scores of 10, 9, and 24.
Cricket pundits are pointing to Gill’s grueling schedule and the added burden of captaincy as key factors behind his current slump. Since September, he has been constantly on the field, participating in the Asia Cup, West Indies Tests, and is now set for a five-match T20I series against Australia, with only a brief break in August.
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According to former cricketer Mohammed Kaif, ‘He has played a lot of matches lately. He has to open the batting and also captain the team in multiple formats. Then, there is the IPL captaincy as well, with auction planning calls for Gujarat Titans. There’s a lot on his plate, and it seems to have impacted his batting; he looked mentally tired.’
Krishnamachari Srikkanth added, ‘After his strong performance in England, he might be putting unnecessary pressure on himself. He should simply play his natural game. He played well today but was dismissed by a superb delivery from Hazlewood – it was more a wicket-taking ball than him getting himself out.’
Another significant pressure point for Gill is stepping into Rohit Sharma’s shoes as captain while still opening the innings alongside him. Srikkanth observed, ‘His body language suggests he’s under pressure, likely due to taking over captaincy from Rohit Sharma while still batting with him at the top.’
The presence of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad further intensifies the scrutiny. Srikkanth pointed out, ‘Everyone’s constantly asking why Yashasvi Jaiswal isn’t playing, which only piles on more pressure. However, Gill is a fantastic player and will overcome this. He just needs to stick to his natural game; his technique and shots are fine. He’s just getting out. A couple of big scores at home against South Africa, and he’ll be back on track.’
Gill’s demanding schedule shows no signs of easing, with an upcoming T20I series against Australia followed by matches against South Africa. His performance in these crucial series will be vital not only for his individual form but also for solidifying his leadership role across all formats.