Shubman Gill under the scanner: Ashwin demands verdict after Lucknow, Ahmedabad T20Is

NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill's prolonged lean patch in T20Is continues to leave the Indian team management grappling with questions over persisting with the ODI and Test skipper in the shortest format at the expense of Sanju Samson.

Gill's selection in the Indian T20I playing eleven has been questioned after a settled Samson was benched. The vice-captain in the format has managed only 291 runs in 15 innings at a strike-rate of 137.3.

Commenting on Gill's ongoing struggles, former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has called for a thorough performance review of India's vice-captain after the remaining two T20Is in Lucknow and Ahmedabad.

Abhishek Sharma sends a clear World Cup warning, write off Gill and Surya at your own risk

Ashwin emphasised that such introspection is essential because it is rare for a vice-captain to be dropped, and any decision regarding his future should come only after giving Gill a fair opportunity to prove himself.

"I am a little concerned. Shubman is not only the opener but also the vice-captain. How will you remove the vice-captain? It is going to be an incredibly tough decision. If you have to take that decision, inside this series you can't bring [Sanju] Samson because it does not look nice to drop the vice-captain. You can ask whether vice-captains have been dropped in the past or not. But he has been taken and should be given a fair run. If he does not perform in the five games, then a decision will have to be made," Ashwin said on 'Ash ki Baat'.

Ashwin reckons that India's bowling lineup for the T20 World Cup is settled and performing well, with Harshit Rana impressing by executing his skills effectively. The key concern, he says, lies with Gill's form - if he fails to score consistently, the team must consider whether Samson should take his place.

"You should be knowing your best XI and best squad (for T20 WC) by now. I don't think there are any doubts in the bowling. That department is sealed. Another good message is that Harshit Rana is showing what he is capable of. He is executing what he is good at," he added.

"The only question is, if Shubman doesn't make the runs, should he be there or should Samson be playing. The only unfortunate thing from here on I do not want to see is Gill making runs at a lesser strike rate. That should not happen."