Shubman Gill (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has strongly criticised the Indian team management for appointing Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of the T20I side, calling the move disruptive to the squad’s balance and selection clarity. Gill, who made his T20I comeback at the Asia Cup after nearly a year, has endured a lean run since returning to the format. In nine innings, he has managed just 169 runs at an average of 24.14. Yet, his role as deputy to Suryakumar Yadav has effectively secured his place in the setup heading into next year’s T20 World Cup.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth didn’t mince words as he questioned the logic behind the decision. “They won’t drop Gill for the next three games. They are not worried about anything else. He is the vice-captain for the T20 World Cup, that’s fixed now. It’s also fixed that he’s the future T20I captain. So they have to play with him and build the balance for the rest of the side. He’s a certainty or else on what basis has he been appointed the vice-captain?” said the former India opener. Srikkanth further argued that Gill’s automatic selection has blocked opportunities for in-form batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been sidelined despite a strong record as an opener. He also noted that the lack of stability in the batting order has left players such as Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma uncertain of their roles. “Yashasvi Jaiswal is waiting in the wings. He’s not there in the team. With Gill’s inclusion, the overall balance has gone for a toss so they aren’t sure of what to do. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma don’t have a fixed position and Arshdeep Singh is missing out on the 11. The only good thing is the T20 World Cup is in India so they’ll escape,” he said. Praising Jaiswal’s talent, Srikkanth insisted the young left-hander deserves consistent chances. “India has a lot of players like Abhishek. If players like Yashasvi Jaiswal are given an opportunity, they’ll utilise it. But now he has no window to come into the side. Only Hardik Pandya can come into the 11 and nobody else. Jaiswal also came through the IPL and has an outstanding record in all formats and the IPL. I am not sure why he isn’t playing with a brilliant IPL and T20I record. Give him the same opportunities, he’ll destroy bowlers at the top,” he added.