Gill returns in T20s, named vice-captain for Asia Cup

India’s T20 squad also sees the return of Bumrah, Kuldeep and keeper Jitesh Sharma

- Rasesh Mandani

Shubman Gill returns to India's T20 fold as opener and vice-captain, making hima certain starter in the Suryakumar Yadav-led side for the Asia Cup campaign starting September 10. India play Pakistan as well as UAEand Oman in the league phase.

Gill’s selection from among India’s burgeoning T20 talent pool didn’t seem locked in with ‘Abhishek Sharma-Sanju Samson's opening combination having made a strong case with their power-packed starts in the previous three bilateral series. However, before Tuesday's selection meeting, in a final round of informal deliberations between captain, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, they are known to have decided to back high-flying Test skipper Gill's 20 credentials.

“The last time he played T20I, post the World Cup when we went to Sri Lanka, he was the vice-captain,” Surya said about Gill. “That's where we started a new cycle for the (2026) T20 World Cup. After that we got busy with Test cricket and he didn’t get opportunities. We're happy to have him.”

Like Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal too was a regular in that Sri Lanka series in July last year. He was picked ahead of Gill for the 2024 ‘World Cup. Gill, having grown in stature in the other formats, has earned himself an opportunity to find his T20 peak. With Jaiswal “it’s unfortunate,” Agarkar told the media conference.

In all likelihood, Gill will open with Abhishek Sharma, his fellow Punjab opener. That will force another change in the playing combination-Samson is likely to make way for Jitesh, who makes a comeback and will slot in asa finisher in India’s preferred eleven.