Carrara, November 5, 2025 - As India prepares for its fourth T20I against Australia at Carrara Oval, head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having a long, animated conversation with Shubman Gill during a practice session. Gill, who is the vice-captain of the T20I squad and also leads the Test and ODI teams, has been under scrutiny due to his recent performances.
The conversation occurred as the Indian squad was warming up. While the specific details of the discussion remain unknown, the body language suggested it was an intense exchange. This interaction comes at a crucial juncture, with the five-match series leveled at 1-1 and the remaining games holding significant importance.
Gill's recent form has been a cause for concern. In his last 10 T20I innings, Gill's average has dipped to 23. After an unbeaten 37 in a rain-affected match in Canberra, he has struggled to maintain consistency, scoring only 5 and 15 in the subsequent matches against Australia. His performance in the Asia Cup 2025 also reflected this inconsistency, where he scored 127 runs in seven matches, averaging 21.17. While he showed promise with a 47 against Pakistan, he had early dismissals in most other games. Since his return to T20Is in September 2025, Gill has managed only 170 runs in ten innings, with a concerning pattern emerging.
Despite his impressive form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Gill has not been able to replicate that success on the international stage. This has led to questions about his role in the T20I top order as India looks ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup. Some analysts suggest that his T20I strike rate, which hovers in the mid-140s, is not sufficient compared to modern powerplay specialists.
The pressure on Gill is also amplified by the presence of other talented players vying for his position. With players like Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting for an opportunity, Gill needs to perform to secure his place in the team.
Gambhir's conversation with Gill underscores the team management's concern and their proactive approach to address the issue. Gambhir was also seen talking with Jitesh Sharma. Sharma had a quickfire 22 off 13 balls in his T20I comeback. With contrasting performances, the team management faces a tough selection decision, and the T20Is will play a key role in shaping India's plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
India aims to gain confidence before the series decider. The outcome of the conversation between Gambhir and Gill, and Gill's response in the upcoming matches, will be crucial for India's success in the series and for Gill's future in the T20I format.
