Shubman Gill went off the field in disbelief when he recorded his very first international golden duck in the second T20I against South Africa. Lungi Ngidi exposed his uncertain footwork, and India felt early pressure during a huge chase. The moment triggered loud alarms with the T20 World Cup now frighteningly close.
A Brutal Start and a Worrying Pattern
Gill edged the fifth ball of the innings while shaping for a quiet start. Ngidi threw the ball at a hard length and it moved very late. Shubman Gill came out of the crease to play the shot but couldn’t help the ball glancing it to Reeza Hendricks who made an excellent catch. The dismissal looked like a classic Test mistake, not a T20 intent failure.
This golden duck added to Gill’s T20 decline. His strike rate dipped this year despite a strong Test season. India backed him heavily, even promoting him over Sanju Samson. That call now looks risky with only eight matches left before the World Cup.
Gill’s poor returns contrast sharply with Abhishek Sharma’s electric form. Abhishek has dominated attacks, smashed 48 sixes, and scored freely in powerplays. Gill’s slow starts, low boundary count, and hesitant strokeplay now threaten India’s preferred opening combination.
Selection Pressure Rising Before the World Cup
India face a tough call. Their long-term captaincy idea around Gill clashes with his current form. Gambhir needs a fearless opener who attacks early. Gill has not delivered that impact, and India cannot afford tentative starts in a high-scoring World Cup. Samson’s consistency and Abhishek’s aggression make the competition even tighter. Gill now sits in a shrinking window, and each failure increases scrutiny. India may rethink roles if he does not fire in the remaining matches.
Author’s Opinion
Gill must reset quickly. His talent is proven, but India need urgency and clarity before the World Cup window closes completely.
