Gautam Gambhir accused of bias by ex-India star, told to drop Shubman Gill for Sanju Samson

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif opened up about T20 vice-captain Shubman Gill's struggles ahead of the third T20I of the ongoing series against South Africa. Kaif stated that the team management and head coach Gautam Gambhir should drop Gill from the playing XI and consider bringing in Sanju Samson.

Gill has come under criticism after another failure in the South Africa series. He scored four runs in the opener, followed by a first-ball dismissal in the second match. His failures have intensified the pressure on India’s T20I vice-captain. Questions are growing about his place in the XI and his ability in the format.

I Think the Time Has Come to Give Shubman Gill a Break - Mohammad Kaif

During a YouTube Live session, Mohammad Kaif said that Shubman Gill needs to be dropped from the T20I lineup. Kaif stated that Gill has tried multiple approaches but keeps getting out in similar ways. He added that Sanju Samson has consistently performed but hasn’t been given enough chances.

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“Look at how he is getting out, caught at slip, stepping out and mistiming, trying aggressive strokes like Abhishek Sharma and getting caught. He has tried everything. I think the time has come to give him a break and try players who are proven," Kaif said.

"Sanju Samson is a top-quality player; he hasn’t received enough chances. There should not be double standards. Even vice-captains have been dropped before. If it is in the team’s interest to rest Gill and bring in someone else, there is nothing wrong with it,” he added.

Sanju Samson Left on the Bench Without Consistent Chances - Mohammad Kaif

The 45-year-old pointed out that players like Yashasvi Jaiswal have already been sidelined and Sanju Samson has been on the bench despite producing exceptional numbers as an opener. Kaif added that Samson deserved far more opportunities.

“But now it feels like the time has come for changes. You dropped players like Jaiswal, you kept Sanju Samson on the bench without giving him consistent chances, even though he scored heavily as an opener," Kaif continued.

"He hit three centuries in five T20 innings, something no one in history has done. Some players get very few chances, while others get extended runs because you want to settle them in the team. That is clearly visible. But now, I think the pressure has increased so much that it is time for a change somewhere,” he added.

Shubman Gill’s Struggles Raise Questions Over India’s T20I Opening Plans

Shubman Gill’s return to India’s T20I setup hasn’t gone the way the team hoped. He made his comeback to the format during the 2025 Asia Cup. Gill has scored only 263 runs in 14 matches at an average of 23.90, with a best score of 47.

His selection at the top has also pushed Sanju Samson down the order, even though Samson had been performing well as an opener alongside Abhishek Sharma. Despite Gill’s extended lean patch, the team management has continued to back him as their first-choice opener.

Overall, Shubman Gill has scored 841 runs in 35 games, including a century. However, his recent dip raises questions about whether the team should keep waiting for him to click or look at other in-form options.

Also read: After Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma set to play this tournament ahead of New Zealand ODIs