'Pressure will pile': Shubman Gill's poor T20 form under scrutiny; ex-cricketer asks Sanju Samson to 'be ready'

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan said Shubman Gill is under pressure because of his recent poor form in T20Is. Pathan said Gill needs to score runs to secure his place in the T20I team, with the World Cup approaching and Sanju Samson waiting for an opportunity in the playing XI.

Gill has not scored runs in the first two matches of the ongoing five-match T20 series against South Africa. He made four in the first T20I and was dismissed for a first-ball duck in the second match.




"The main topic is of Shubman Gill. He is the vice-captain, and the World Cup is nearing. But runs are not coming, and he is struggling for form. He must make runs if he is to cement his spot in the T20I side, else he will be more under pressure. Gill got out for a first-ball duck in the second T20I, but it's not his game to step out and play as he did in the first match. Whenever he doesn't make runs, the pressure will pile on because Sanju Samson is currently benched," Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel.

Pathan said that if India have decided to back Gill for the World Cup, he must score, otherwise it will affect the team’s starts in the powerplay.

"If Sanju Samson is brought into the side and doesn't make runs, then India will be in a catch-22 situation. But if India are backing Shubman Gill for the World Cup, it's critical for him to make runs. If it doesn't, it will hurt India due to the good start they might not get. Secondly, Gill will find himself under constant pressure because he is part of the leadership group," he said.

Pathan said Samson should stay prepared because the team management may turn to him if Gill continues to struggle. He added that Gill will score if he follows his natural game.

"Hence, Samson should also be mentally ready. I will say it again that Gill will score runs if he sticks to his own game plan. If he keeps thinking that there's another player waiting, it will be trouble. The team management's role will be important then," Pathan concluded.

Gill’s recent numbers have been below his usual standards. He has made 263 runs in his last 14 T20I innings, averaging 23.90 with a strike rate of 142.93. Samson, who has been on the bench, has performed better as an opener, scoring 522 runs at a strike rate of 180 in 17 innings.

Samson also has strong recent T20I performances as an opener, including back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh in Hyderabad (October last year) and South Africa in Durban (November last year). He is the only Indian opener to achieve this.


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