Shubman Gill not good enough to replace Virat Kohli in T20Is? Ex-India selector claims the batter lacks consistency

Former national selector Saba Karim feels that Shubman Gill was not consistent in the recently concluded T20I series against Zimbabwe. Gill was India's captain for the series and played as an opener. However, he did not have an easy time with the bat and faced many challenges.

But despite all the hurdles, Gill finished as the highest run-scorer of the series with 170 runs in five matches at an average of 42.50. Alongside Gill, India's other top-order batters Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Abhishek Sharma also finished among the top five run-getters of the series.

But Gill's strike rate was the lowest among all of these batters. While every other top-order batter had a strike rate of more than 150, Gill finished with a strike rate of 125.92, which raises further questions on his T20 batting style.

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Consistency was 'lacking' in Shubman Gill's batting against Zimbabwe - Saba Karim

While speaking on Sony Sports, Saba Karim reckoned that he expected more consistency from Shubman Gill but praised the youngster for leading the team well despite losing the first game.

"Shubman Gill as a captain and a batter. I was expecting a little more consistency in Shubman Gill's batting. That was a little lacking. However, he performed fantastically as a captain. Pressure mounts on any captain after losing the first match, and that too a young captain. However, despite that, he got his players to rally splendidly," Karim said.

Saba Karim hails Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma

The former India cricketer also lauded Jaiswal for a good series with the bat despite being on the bench in the T20 World Cup 2024. Jaiswal scored 141 runs in three matches at an average of 70.50 and a strike rate of 165.88. His unbeaten 93 off 53 balls in the fourth T20I played a key role in India's 10-wicket win.

"(Yashasvi) Jaiswal scoring runs. He didn't get a chance in the World Cup. When you haven't batted for a long time and haven't played matches, it's not easy to show form as soon as you come. However, we saw that," Saba Karim hailed Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was in India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 but did not get a chance to play as India preferred the opening combination of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli throughout the tournament.

Saba Karim also hailed Abhishek Sharma for scoring a splendid century in the second T20I despite being dismissed for a duck in his debut match. According to him, Shivam Dube's performance with the ball was also a positive

"Abhishek Sharma scored a century at the top of the order. It's not easy to come back and score a century after getting out for zero in the first match. Shivam Dube proved himself as a bowler in this series," he added.

India defeated Zimbabwe 4-1 in the series. Despite losing the first match, the Men in Blue showed tremendous character to trounce the home team and performed brilliantly.