'The runs from his bat at the top of the order will be crucial for India's success in this five-match series against South Africa.'
These comments come after India recently announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead India in his first-ever ICC tournament as captain, with Axar Patel named as his deputy.
India lead the five-match series 2-1 and the contest in Ahmedabad on Friday will be their last assignment for the calendar year.
Formidable India will be eager to register a dominance-extending fourth victory on the bounce in the fourth women's T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
The lack of runs from captain Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy Shubman Gill remains a talking point.
Hardik Pandya poised for double milestone in South Africa series
Deepti Sharma created a new record in women's cricket, while Shafali Verma smashed a blistering half-century as India thrashed Sri Lanka by eight wickets to seal the five-match T20I series 3-0.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar identified Shubman Gill's recent lack of runs and combination compulsions as reasons for his omission from India's squad for the T20 World Cup.
'We have to show consistency and move forward with the current combination.'
Sunil Narine etched his name in history after becoming the first bowler to claim 600 wickets in competitive T20 cricket.
India spinner Varun Chakravarthy says his T20 World Cup preparation is centred around backing his lengths, maintaining confidence and constantly challenging himself mentally even in matches that appear straightforward.
Joe Burns, the former Australian cricketer who masterminded Italy's fairytale qualification to their maiden T20 World Cup, will miss the tournament after being dropped by the Italian Cricket Federation (FCRI) amid contractual wrangles.
India all-rounder Axar Patel was on Monday ruled out of the remaining two T20 Internationals against South Africa due to illness with the BCCI's selection committee naming Shahbaz Ahmed as his replacement.
'India will have to use him carefully. If they want him to bowl three overs early, then Arshdeep Singh has to partner Bumrah in the death overs.'
3rd Women's T20I: India look to seal series with another dominant show against Sri Lanka
Out-of-form India vice-captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the last two T20I games against South Africa with a toe injury, sources close to the team told PTI.
'I'll tell you one thing straight away, that trust me, these two guys are going to win matches in World Cup (in February-March) and in this series as well.'
As India gear up for the T20 World Cup at home, the selectors have backed a squad built on impact, and versatility.
India's jersey for 2026 T20 World Cup revealed
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been instructed by its sports ministry to seek shifting of the country's T20 World Cup league games from India to Sri Lanka as there are "concerns about players' safety".
England's Harry Brook expresses concern over reports that Indian-owned franchises in The Hundred may refrain from picking Pakistan players due to political tensions, emphasizing the value and excitement they bring to the competition.
The 34-year-old mystery spinner rewrote the record books during the fifth and final T20I against South Africa at Ahmedabad on Friday, casting a spell of his bamboozling spin magic on the Proteas batters, four of them surrendering to his bowling.
Steyn, however, said his team had "exceeded expectations" on their tour of India.
With India set to name their T20 World Cup 2026 squad on Saturday in Mumbai, the spotlight has firmly shifted to Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav, whose recent struggles have turned the selection meeting into a high-stakes call.
Shubman Gill is set to use the Vijay Hazare Trophy as his first platform for response after being left out of India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad.
Suryakumar Yadav backs struggling Abhishek Sharma ahead of India's Super 8 clash vs South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Indian ODI and Test skipper Gill recently suffered a significant setback after being dropped from the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup and the New Zealand T20I series due to fitness and form concerns.
Ravi Shastri urges Abhishek Sharma to stay patient after back-to-back ducks in the T20 World Cup 2026, while hailing Ishan Kishan's match-winning knock vs Pakistan.
Hardik Pandya celebrated girlfriend Mahieka Sharma's 25th birthday with a romantic post on social media on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel backs Varun Chakaravarthy as a key strike bowler, stresses collective pressure ahead of T20 World Cup Super 8 clash vs South Africa.
Sanju Samson marked his selection for the T20 World Cup with a quiet but powerful statement, underlining his belief and pride after retaining his place in India's squad.
"Gill should cement his place at the top order in T20": Irfan Pathan
Defending champions India will take on the USA in one of the three matches on the opening day of the tournament.
England captain Harry Brook acknowledges underestimating opponents in the group stage of the T20 World Cup and anticipates a stronger showing in the Super 8s, starting with their match against Sri Lanka.
All-rounder Axar Patel was named vice-captain of the squad, which also saw the return of in-form Ishan Kishan, who pipped Jitesh Sharma as the second wicketkeeper behind Sanju Samson.
Harmanpreet Kaur has become the most capped international player in women's cricket history, surpassing Suzie Bates during the second T20I against Australia in Canberra.
South Africa say Ahmedabad familiarity and recent India series help preparation for T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash.
Pakistan will tour Bangladesh in March for a three-match ODI series in Dhaka as part of preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta feels that India's T20I vice-captain Shubham Gill, who is currently struggling to get going in the shortest format, has to play a similar role what Virat Kohli did for so long by consistently holding on to one end.
'My role is not to impose a system, but to nurture an environment where athleticism, awareness, and pride in the field can grow naturally.'
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