Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has thrown his weight behind out-of-form batters Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill after India’s victory over South Africa in the third T20I, expressing strong belief that the duo will play decisive roles in the ICC T20 World Cup next year and the build-up series before it.
India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with a dominant win, driven by a disciplined bowling performance and an aggressive start at the top. However, India’s leadership pair once again struggled to convert starts into impactful scores.
Abhishek’s Vote of Confidence in India’s Leadership Duo
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Abhishek urged patience with both batters, particularly highlighting his long association with Gill from their age-group cricket days. “I’m telling you straight away, trust me, these two guys are going to win us matches in the T20 World Cup and in the series before that,” Abhishek said. “I’ve played with them for a long time, especially Shubman. I know exactly which matches he can win and in what conditions. I have complete trust in him, and I hope everyone will see it very soon.”
Numbers Reflect Ongoing Struggles
Despite the backing, recent numbers underline the challenges faced by both players. In 2025, Suryakumar Yadav managed 213 runs in 20 matches (18 innings) at an average of 14.20 and a strike rate of 125.29, with a highest score of 47*. It is the second-worst average in a calendar year (minimum 200 runs) in T20I history and the poorest among batters from Test-playing nations.
Shubman Gill has fared slightly better but remains short of expectations, scoring 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of over 137, without registering a half-century. Eight of his innings have ended below 20.
Bowlers Lay the Platform in Dharamsala
Earlier in the match, South Africa were asked to bat first and never found momentum. Arshdeep Singh (2/13) and Harshit Rana (2/34) ripped through the top order during the powerplay, while Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets each in the middle overs.
Captain Aiden Markram stood tall with an unbeaten 61 off 46 balls, but lacked support as the Proteas were bowled out for 117 in 20 overs.
India’s chase began briskly with Abhishek Sharma (35 off 18) and Shubman Gill (28 off 28) stitching together a 60-run opening stand. Although a brief slowdown followed with a few wickets falling, Tilak Varma (25 off 34)* and Shivam Dube (10 off 4)* calmly finished the job.
India chased down the target in 15.5 overs with seven wickets in hand, underlining their depth and bowling dominance on the night. With the series still alive, Abhishek’s words signal strong backing within the dressing room, even as scrutiny around India’s top-order combinations continues ahead of major tournaments.
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