Mohammed Kaif blasts as he demands that Samson should get a chance again, as Gill presents a flurry of failures

Former Indian batsman Mohammed Kaif has demanded that Shubman Gill be left out of India's starting lineup for the current Twenty20 International series against South Africa, claiming that the team's vice-captains have previously been benched.

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Gill's ongoing batting difficulties in the shortest format coincided with Kaif's suggestion. He only managed to score 127 runs in seven innings at an average of 21.16 and a strike rate of 151.19 after his comeback to the T20I fold as deputy during the Asia Cup 2025.

Gill has had a mixed bag of results since making a comeback to the T20I playing XI, and the vice captain has not scored a single fifty. Prior to Gill, Sanju Samson had established himself in the position with three hundreds last year; nevertheless, the 26-year-old's inclusion has ultimately led to his exclusion.

Following yet another setback in the South Africa series, Gill has drawn criticism. He was dismissed on the first ball in the second game after scoring four runs in the first. The burden on India's T20I vice-captain has increased as a result of his shortcomings. Concerns regarding his position in the XI and his aptitude for the format are becoming more prevalent.

After seeing how Gill was dismissed throughout the series, Kaif concluded that Samson, who is a naturally aggressive batter, and Abhishek Sharma at the top would be better for India.

“Look at how he is getting out, caught at slip, stepping out and mistiming, trying aggressive strokes like Abhishek Sharma and getting caught. He has tried everything. I think the time has come to give him a break and try players who are proven. Sanju Samson is a top-quality player; he hasn’t received enough chances. There should not be double standards. Even vice-captains have been dropped before. If it is in the team’s interest to rest Gill and bring in someone else, there is nothing wrong with it,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

"Some players get very few chances, while others get extended runs because you want to settle them in the team. That is clearly visible. But now, I think the pressure has increased so much that it is time for a change somewhere,” Kaif concluded.

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