Will Shubman Gill be in India’s T20I set-up for the Ireland and England tours scheduled for June–July? For now, the bigger question is whether his recent IPL form—and his latest match-winning burst—can outweigh the concerns that have followed him through months of inconsistency in shorter international cricket.
Key takeaways
- Gujarat Titans produced a shock win over Rajasthan Royals in the second qualifier, chasing 215 comfortably.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred for the Titans, turning the contest decisively in their favour.
- The victory set up a final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- Gill’s IPL 2026 tally stands at 722 runs at an average of 48.13 with a strike rate of 163.72.
- In the current IPL season, Sooryavanshi has 776 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.11.
- Sooryavanshi has struck 72 sixes in the season, the highest total ever in an IPL campaign.
Gill’s lean international stretch and the pressure on selection
Despite the noise that surrounds his place in India’s limited-overs plans, the last few months have been difficult for Gill, who has led the Test and ODI sides. There was already plenty of discussion when he was promoted ahead of Sanju Samson, with the media questioning the decision. Performances were expected to silence the doubts, but Gill couldn’t string together a convincing run of scores.
At the Asia Cup, India finished as champions, yet Gill’s personal returns were not enough to change the narrative around his output and impact. With Samson having done well as an opener for months leading up to Gill’s promotion, the argument intensified that Gill was receiving preferential opportunities.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar faced heavy criticism for what some felt was Gill being backed at Samson’s expense. There were also whispers that the management wanted Gill to become the T20I captain as well—an approach that, in this telling, was meant to provide him chances to prove he was the right fit at the top of the order.
The five-match T20I series in Australia became another stumbling block. Gill struggled again, adding to the pressure after he had already failed in the three preceding ODIs. One more chance arrived at home against South Africa, but his three matches brought further disappointment. From there, the team management’s patience appeared to run out, with Gill later being dropped from the next home series against New Zealand and also from the T20 World Cup squad.
In that T20 World Cup, Samson made a strong case for himself as an opener, delivering three standout innings that helped India defend their title.
Latest IPL form vs the modern T20I opener’s checklist
This IPL season, Gill has shown a different side of his game. He has amassed 722 runs at an average of 48.13 and with a strike rate of 163.72. In the latest match, he produced a statement innings as well—his first IPL century of 2026, a knock of 104 off 53 balls. He struck 15 fours and three sixes, with the innings described as a complete showcase of shot-making.
Those numbers are impressive, but the argument against his return to T20I cricket isn’t based on talent alone. Two specific concerns are repeatedly raised for a modern opener: the strike rate and the ability to clear the ropes consistently. Even with his current run of form, Gill’s strike rate is viewed as low for the demands of opening in T20 cricket today, and his six-hitting remains relatively limited, with only three sixes in that particular knock.
The underlying point is that, in today’s T20 environment, a player can’t be considered a top-tier opener without meeting both benchmarks—quick scoring and regular boundary clearing, especially through sixes.
Who Gill is up against for India’s T20I openings
That brings up the competition for the national team’s top-order spots. Abhishek Sharma is one option, and he does not require much introduction. Samson is another, with his current standing strengthened by what he delivered during the T20 World Cup.
Then there is the new name being discussed heavily: 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Bihar batter has scored 776 runs across 16 games, averaging 48.50, while posting a strike rate of 237.11. Even more striking is his power-hitting—Sooryavanshi has struck 72 sixes in the season, the highest number ever in an IPL campaign. He also became the youngest List A century-maker in world cricket not long ago, surpassing West Indies legend Chris Gayle in that record.
When Gill’s six-hitting is compared with Sooryavanshi’s, the gap becomes clear: in 15 matches, Gill has hit 33 sixes. The conclusion drawn is that the two batters don’t measure up on those two decisive parameters.
So, if selectors were to choose between them based on what modern T20I opening roles tend to demand, the preference suggested here is straightforward—Abhishek, Samson, and Sooryavanshi.
Bottom line: where Gill stands right now
Gill remains a quality batter, and there is no denying that. Still, the question of whether he is ready to return to the shortest international format is answered negatively in this debate. The reasoning is that IPL success can sometimes create a misleading impression, because the league often features batting-friendly surfaces, shorter boundaries, and opposition bowling that may contain weaker links. International cricket is different, and the requirements for an ultra-modern T20I opener are even more demanding.
For now, India are not portrayed as needing to look beyond Abhishek Sharma, Samson, and Sooryavanshi for the T20I opening options as the Ireland and England tours approach.
