India captain Shubman Gill during a press conference, ahead of the first ODI cricket match of the series between India and New Zealand, in Vadodara, Gujarat. (PTI Image/Ravi Chaudhary)
New Delhi: After India won the T20 World Cup for the third time under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, former opener Aakash Chopra said it would be difficult for Shubman Gill to return to the T20I team, let alone become a captain.Gill, who currently leads India in Tests and ODIs, returned to the T20I side in 2025 after 14 months, and was named vice-captain during the Asia Cup.
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However, his form remained disappointing, as he failed to score a half-century in 15 matches, which eventually led to his exclusion from the World Cup squad.With India’s strong performance and their tournament win, Chopra believes the team is unlikely to consider Gill to lead a T20I again.
“It will be difficult, although the Indian team thought it would be easier if there was one captain for all the three formats. However, that will never happen. I feel we will not be able to do it because he is the Test and ODI captain, but he cannot get the T20I captaincy. At this moment, even his name coming up is difficult because of the way the Indian team is playing, especially the last four matches,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra also suggested that Gill should focus on excelling in the longer formats rather than trying to adapt his game to suit T20Is. “When you talk about 250, and that too in the World Cup, you don’t think you need an anchor. Shubman Gill can adapt and change, but we shouldn’t lose Shubman Gill, the Test batsman, in trying to find that, and lose Shubman Gill who can become an absolute giant in ODIs. I think it will be tough for Shubman Gill.”
