Pressure mounts on Gill as India look to continue momentum against South Africa

Still looking to firmly establish himself in the shortest format, Shubman Gill will be aiming for significant gains on home soil as a well-balanced Indian side seeks to extend its dominance over South Africa in the second T20 International on Thursday.

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With only a travel day separating the first two matches of the five-game series, Gill will welcome the chance to get back into the middle in search of a meaningful innings.

India swept aside South Africa in the opener, but Gill's modest returns since his T20 comeback during the Asia Cup in September continue to draw attention. After an impressive debut as Test captain in the UK, he was reinstated in the T20 setup.

Despite Sanju Samson and Gill's Punjab teammate Abhishek Sharma performing well at the top, the team management backed Gill as a T20 opener.

Samson was pushed aside, and since then he has struggled to regain a place in the XI. Gill, now also India's Test and ODI captain, can play the steadying role Virat Kohli had fulfilled until last year's T20 World Cup, but India's deeper batting lineup extending to number eight has encouraged a fearless approach since their triumph in Barbados, leaving limited space for an anchor.

Gill cannot attack in the powerplay as relentlessly as Abhishek Sharma, meaning he must find an approach that suits his strengths.