Former Indian player Kris Srikkanth has criticized Shubman Gill over his appointment as the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team. Former selector Srikkanth believes that this position has affected the flexibility of selection in the Indian team.
Indian Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill failed to score runs as desired in the Indian T20I team. Since returning to the team in the shortest format of the game, Gill has been offered the vice-captaincy as well as the starting position in the team. However, Shubman Gill could not give a single statement in favor of his appointment in the team.
Instead, former players as well as critics have urged the Indian selectors to reconsider Yashasvi Jaiswal for the T20I squad or bring Sanju Samson back into the opening role; However, what has been a major hurdle has been the vice-captaincy.
“He is sure otherwise on what basis has he been appointed vice-captain?” -Chris Srikkanth on Shubman Gill
Srikkanth believes that the appointment of Shubman Gill as their T20I captain is a hindrance to flexible selection by the Indian selectors, as he cannot be dropped from the team despite weak patches.
Things have turned sour for Shubman Gill as the Indian star averages just 24.14 in the shortest format of the game after 9 matches since the Asia Cup and India’s Australia tour 2025.
“They will not remove Shubman Gill for the next three matches. They are not worried about anything else. He is the vice-captain for the T20 World Cup, that is decided now. It is also decided that he is the future T20I captain. So they have to play with him and create a balance for the rest of the team. He is sure, otherwise on what basis has he been appointed the vice-captain?” Srikanth said in his YouTube channel.
Srikanth again demanded to select Yashasvi Jaiswal in T20 team
The former Indian selector believes that players like Yashasvi Jaiswal are waiting in the queue to be selected in the T20 team. The inclusion of Shubman Gill has also affected the balance in the Indian batting order. He has also made fun of India and said that he will run away if the T20 World Cup is held in India.
“Yashaswi Jaiswal is waiting. He is not in the team. The overall balance has been upset with Gill’s inclusion, so they are not sure what to do. Sanju Samson and Tilak Verma have no definite positions and Arshdeep Singh is not in the 11th position. The only good thing is that the T20 World Cup is in India, so they will be saved,” he said.
Along with the former Indian player, many fans and other cricket critics have claimed that Yashasvi Jaiswal’s omission from the T20I XI is unfortunate. Despite an excellent record with an average of 36 and an impressive strike rate of 164.31, he is not a part of the game.
“India have a lot of players like Abhishek. If players like Yashasvi Jaiswal are given a chance, they will use it. But now they have no chance to get into the team. Only Hardik Pandya can come in the 11 and no one else. Jaiswal also came through the IPL and has a great record in all formats and IPL. I am not sure why he is not playing with a great IPL and T20I record. Give him equal opportunities, he can destroy bowlers at the top. Will do,” Srikanth said.
Will Arshdeep Singh be considered for return to Team India?
Leading Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been consistently dropped from the Indian T20I squad despite being their most successful bowler in the format. This decision has been severely criticized and Srikkanth believes that it will continue during the Australia series as well.
Srikkanth said, “They will continue to choose Harshit Rana for their batting. Arshdeep will not play in the entire series. To play him, you have to drop Harshit Rana. Otherwise, you have to play Harshit Rana as your No. 7. Will they go for that option? It is difficult to understand what they are doing.”
Also read: Sanju Samson’s T-20 future in danger!! Former Indian star exposes Gautam Gambhir’s flawed strategy
