“Sanju Samson used to score runs at a strike rate of 175” - Aakash Chopra slams Shubman Gill’s inclusion in India T20I XI

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Shubman Gill's attitude in the first Twenty20 International against South Africa. He speculated that the Indian vice-captain is possibly attempting to mimic Sanju Samson, who used to bat aggressively at the top of the order. 

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Gill was bowled for a two-ball four as India set South Africa a 176-run target at Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9. The hosts then bowled out the visitors for 74, securing a 101-run victory.

The former India batsman believed that Gill could be forced to take an extremely aggressive stance because to Samson's opener exploits.

"What is Shubman Gill trying to do? I ask this question because it seems like he doesn't play like this, but is trying to play like that. Why would he be doing that? It seems like he is too hasty to hit. The way he got out in Cuttack, he hit a four off the first ball, and then he jumped out and hit the next ball," Aakash Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.

"What could be the reasons behind that? He is feeling slightly obliged. Sanju Samson was the player who was opening before him. Sanju Samson used to score runs at a strike rate of 175. He scored three centuries as well. Of course, he got out early as well, but has three centuries to his name and a strike rate of 175. You can't take that away from Sanju Samson," he added.

In the opening Twenty20 International against South Africa, Shubman Gill smashed a four off the first ball he encountered. On the subsequent delivery, he tried another massive shot, but he was only able to hit Lungi Ngidi directly down Marco Jansen's neck at mid-off. 

Shubman Gill may possibly be batting too aggressively because India has been aiming for 250-plus totals in Twenty20 Internationals, according to Aakash Chopra in the same video.

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"India were also running close to 250-275. He is feeling the pressure of two things. Firstly, because Sanju Samson plays like that, he too should play like that because he has come in his place, and that is always spoken about. 

Social media must be on fire today as well, although you have to cut him some slack because he was playing his first competitive game since the neck sprain he had at the Eden Gardens. So you can be slightly undercooked. However, social media won't agree with that," Chopra observed.

Shubman Gill has seldom been spotted playing such shots, according to Aakash Chopra. The analyst reaffirmed that the Indian Test and ODI captain may be affected by Sanju Samson's general shadow and that he must understand that the pitch is more important than ideology.

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