IND vs SA: Abhishek Sharma backs struggling Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav to come through

The Men in Blue annihilated the visitors at the scenic Dharamsala venue to take the lead in the ongoing five-match India vs South Africa T20I series. The third fixture came on the back of a bitter 51-run defeat in Mullanpur, where the Proteas levelled the contest. However, despite taking the lead in the series and registering a dominant seven-wicket triumph in the IND vs SA third T20I, concerns still linger within the setup. Amid discussions around the India Playing XI and batting slots, the most glaring issue in the lineup is the form of the senior batters. Suryakumar Yadav has been struggling to get among the runs for over a year now. Shubman Gill, meanwhile, is yet to justify his return to the T20I fold as vice-captain. Amid growing criticism, however, both have been backed by opener Abhishek Sharma to come through.

Abhishek Sharma comes to the defence of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav after the IND vs SA 3rd T20I

Despite the hosts taking the lead in the ongoing IND vs SA T20I series, the team continues to face scrutiny. The criticism, meanwhile, has largely centred on skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy, Shubman Gill. Three matches into the series, both leaders are yet to deliver a defining knock. Concerns over their form are not recent developments that have emerged during the India vs South Africa contest. Suryakumar Yadav last registered a half-century in the home series against Bangladesh in October last year.

The debate surrounding Shubman Gill is being perceived as more pressing, given that the lineup had to be reshuffled considerably to accommodate the opener. Gill’s induction meant that Sanju Samson, who scored three centuries in a year as an opener, lost his spot and eventually his place in the India Playing XI. Gill’s lack of effectiveness at the top has further highlighted the debate over dropping Samson from the combination.

However, Abhishek Sharma defended the captain-vice-captain duo after spearheading the chase in the IND vs SA 3rd T20I in Dharamsala. The Indian opener threw his support behind the duo, expressing confidence that the pair will deliver when the stakes are highest. The 25-year-old maintained that both batters have the pedigree to be decisive contributors for India at the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup.

The two senior batters have found runs hard to come by in the ongoing five-match India vs South Africa T20I series. Gill’s run-a-ball 28 during the seven-wicket victory in Dharamsala on Sunday remains the best score registered by either of them across the opening three encounters. Despite the modest returns and with the T20 World Cup less than two months away, Abhishek downplayed any apprehension surrounding their current form.

“I tell you one thing straight away that trust me, these two guys are going to win matches at the World Cup and before in other series as well,” Abhishek said. “I have been playing with them for so long, especially with Shubman, so I know where he can win the match, what are the conditions, irrespective of the team. I have a lot of faith in him from the beginning and I hope everyone will see it very soon and everyone will have faith," he added.

Chasing a manageable target of 118 in the IND vs SA 3rd T20I, the hosts laid the platform through Abhishek and Gill at the top of the order. The opening duo raced to 60 runs inside 5.2 overs, as Abhishek blasted a quickfire 35 from 18 deliveries, while Gill treaded cautiously with a measured 28 off 28 balls. Their partnership ensured India coasted to the finish line with 15.5 overs to spare.

While the chase was made to look straightforward, the real groundwork for the convincing win was established earlier by India’s pace attack after the hosts elected to field first. Arshdeep Singh returned impressive figures of 2 for 13, Harshit Rana claimed 2 for 34, and Hardik Pandya chipped in with 1 for 23, as the trio made full use of the conditions. Their disciplined swing bowling display dismantled South Africa’s batting, restricting them to a sub-par total of 117.

The Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, who was dismissed for 12 while trying to close out the chase in Dharamsala, later addressed questions about his recent run drought. The India skipper responded firmly, brushing aside any talk of a slump and making it clear that he did not view his performances as a cause for concern.

“The thing is, I’ve been batting beautifully in the nets,” Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation. “I’m trying everything that’s in my control. When the runs have to come, they’ll definitely come. But yes, I’m looking for runs, not out of form, but definitely out of runs," he added.