Former South African captain Shaun Pollock raised sharp questions about Shubman Gill’s preparation after the Indian opener failed to make an impact in the first two matches of the IND vs SA 2025 T20I series. Gill, who recently returned from a neck injury, has struggled to find rhythm, scoring just four runs off two balls in the series opener and registering a golden duck in the second T20I at New Chandigarh.
His injury occurred during the first Test of the home series against South Africa, forcing him to miss the remainder of that match, the second Test, and all three ODIs. Pollock suggested that this long break could be affecting Gill’s timing and confidence.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, he questioned Gill’s readiness by saying: “Surya is not getting enough runs, so he may be short of form. Shubman Gill was in good touch but then he misses the two Tests and doesn’t play the ODIs. And then now what cricket are you coming in with? For now, South Africa have to play on it. They’ve to try and take advantage of this top three besides Abhishek aren’t performing, and they need to keep the pressure on them.”
Suryakumar And Gill’s Extended Slump
Suryakumar Yadav, who is currently leading the side, has also been battling poor form, scoring only five runs in India’s 51-run defeat in the second T20I. Pollock felt South Africa should continue attacking India’s top order given their repeated failures.
He stressed this point further by adding: “South Africa should start talking about them not getting runs, asking them to play big shots. Keep applying the pressure in different ways because if you don’t get off to a good start and are three down, you are basically done. You win like less than 10% of your matches. So once India were three down, it was over even with these long batting lineups.”
Shubman Gill’s comeback to India’s T20I setup earlier this year for the Asia Cup has not produced the expected results. He has averaged below 24 in 14 outings, despite maintaining a decent strike rate of 142.93.
Pollock Shocked By Lack Of Big Scores
Pollock expressed disbelief that neither Gill nor Suryakumar has managed a single T20I half-century in 31 combined innings this year. He reflected on this unexpected trend by stating: “If you had said to me 31 innings between the two of them this year and not one of them would get a 50, you could have bet anything on that. There wouldn’t be one Indian fan who wouldn’t have bet their whole house, their livelihood, and everything on them getting at least one fifty. So it comes as a surprise. But the only thing I can hope for from an Indian perspective is that they are saving all their runs for the important World Cup when it arrives.”
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