Shubman​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Gill, a young Indian batter full of promise and one of the key players in the team’s future plans, suffered a major blow on Thursday as he made his first golden duck in international cricket. This extremely rare dismissal happened in the second T20I against South Africa in New Chandigarh, thus increasing the questions about his recent performance in the shortest format of the game.

Shubman​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Gill who has played a total of 133 matches internationally in different formats had never before been dismissed on the very first ball of his innings at this level. Nevertheless, the streak was terminated in a very crucial and tense situation where India were chasing 214 runs and needed a good start to stay alive in the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌contest.

A Test-Match-Like Dismissal

In​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the very first over facing Lungi Ngidi, Gill was met with a delivery which was the perfect example of a traditional seam bowler. Ngidi brought the length ball on the good side of off stump and after the ball landed it moved away just a little bit. Shubman​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Gill, as if for a moment he was stuck in the crease, tried to poke it with his batter’s glove, but the ball took a thick outside edge and went towards wicketkeeper Reeza Hendricks who made a quick dive to his right and caught it.

The dismissal was just like in a Test match – tight seam movement, footwork hesitant, and an alert keeper—only it happened in a T20 powerplay where every ball is of great importance. Gill left the field in disbelief and India’s chase got derailed instantly after the very first ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌blow.

A Rare Event in Gill’s Career

Gill’s​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ golden duck was not merely a fluke of the stats – it brings out the theme of his hardships that differ severely from his other-format brilliant rise in T20Is over a long time. As a matter of fact, it’s the very first time in his entire international career that he got a golden duck, but he has already met with two such instances of dismissals in the IPL:

First golden duck in IPL (2021): vs Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede

Second golden duck in IPL (2022): again vs CSK, in ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Pune

But in the most demanding format for instant impact T20Is, Gill’s inconsistency has begun to raise red flags.

T20I Numbers Tell a Troubling Story

Despite enjoying a breakthrough year in Tests, where he smashed 754 runs against England as captain, Gill’s T20I record in 2025 paints a contrasting picture. In 14 T20I matches this year:

Runs scored: 263

Balls faced: 183

Strike rate: 143+

Sixes hit: 4 (just 2 in the powerplay)

These numbers underline a concerning trend, Shubman​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Gill has struggled to clear the field and dominate the early overs, an essential trait for modern T20 openers.

Team Management’s Faith and Expectations

Gill’s Test success and leadership qualities had convinced the selectors and management to invest heavily in his T20 future. Following the retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Shubman​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Gill was seen as one of the central pillars around whom India would rebuild.

As a result:

He was brought back into the T20I setup for the Asia Cup

Reinstated as vice-captain

Considered a potential long-term captain, especially looking ahead to T20 World Cup 2026

Yet the performances have not matched the expectations.

Competition and Comparison: Abhishek Sharma Surges Ahead

The contrast becomes starker when placed alongside his close friend and opening partner Abhishek Sharma, who has had a phenomenal year. In 2025, Abhishek has:

Scored 773 runs

Faced 397 balls

Maintained a staggering 188.5 strike rate

Smashed 48 sixes, nearly three per match

Abhishek’s free-flowing aggression and fearlessness have given India brisk starts in multiple matches, making Gill’s timid outings appear even more conservative by comparison.

Selection Dilemmas Intensify as World Cup Looms

Earlier​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ this year, one of the most heavily argued decisions was the choice of Gill over Sanju Samson, even though the latter had made three international centuries in the previous season. The explanation was obvious – Gill was seen as the future captain for a longer period and the management wanted to establish his role with the team at an early stage.

But now, with just eight games remaining before the T20 World Cup which is going to be held on February 7, Gill only has a short period of time to show that he is fit to be the first Indian XI at a world ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌tournament.

If Gill continues to falter:

Will the management reconsider its strategy?

Will Samson, who has shown better T20 consistency, return to the XI?

Will Abhishek Sharma become the first-choice opener?

Could Gill lose both his spot and vice-captaincy?

These questions now loom large.

A Crucial Phase for Gill’s T20 Future

What makes Gill’s struggle particularly surprising is his remarkable success in Tests and ODIs. His technique, temperament, and shot-making abilities have rarely been questioned. Yet, the adaptation to high-intensity T20 cricket where intent must match skill has remained elusive.

The next three matches in the South Africa series may well define Gill’s immediate future in the format. With head coach Gautam Gambhir known for his no-nonsense approach, patience might not be infinite.