‘We have Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma but can’t undermine Shubman Gill': Harbhabjan Singh on Asia Cup

By Admin

19 Aug, 2025

As India prepares for the upcoming Asia Cup, the debate around team selection for the T20I squad has intensified. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has stepped into the discussion, strongly advocating for Shubman Gill’s inclusion despite the rise of new-age stars like Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma.

Shubman Gill – A proven all-format player

There has never been any doubt about Shubman Gill’s class and quality. He has already established himself as a superstar in ODIs and silenced critics in Test cricket with a remarkable stint as captain in England. But when it comes to T20Is, questions have often lingered. Gill was absent in India’s last three T20I assignments against Bangladesh, South Africa, and England, mainly because selectors prioritized ODIs and Tests, with the Champions Trophy approaching.

Yet, Gill has always remained in India’s T20I scheme of things. His role as a travelling reserve in India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, followed by stints as captain in Zimbabwe and vice-captain against Sri Lanka, highlights the faith selectors have in him.

The competition at the top

India’s bench strength in T20Is is enviable. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have lit up the top order with blistering centuries, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav continues to redefine modern-day T20 batting. Tilak Varma, on the other hand, etched his name in record books by scoring 318 consecutive T20I runs without being dismissed. This fierce competition has made Gill’s place in the XI uncertain.

Harbhajan Singh’s strong backing

For Harbhajan Singh, however, Gill remains indispensable. “Yes, we do have players like Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, but you cannot undermine or underestimate Shubman Gill. He is a very talented batter who can adapt to any format. He is an all-format player. In my opinion, he can play T20s and even dominate the format,” Harbhajan said.

The veteran spinner emphasized that Gill brings qualities beyond six-hitting. “We as fans are used to seeing fours and sixes every ball, but you also need batters who can play long innings and rescue the team when required. Shubman has the game to defend and then attack whenever he wants. With such strong basics, he can score in any format.”

Gill’s growing T20 credentials

Gill has quietly built an impressive T20 career. In 21 T20Is, he has scored 578 runs at an average of 30.42 and a strike rate of 139.27, including one century and three fifties. His performances in the IPL 2025 were even more eye-catching   650 runs in 15 innings at an average of 50 and a blistering strike rate of 155.87, with six fifties to his name. He also joins the elite list of Indians with centuries across all three international formats.

Harbhajan pointed out Gill’s versatility with the bat. “It’s not like he bats only at a strike rate of 120 or 130; he can also bat at 160. He has already won the Orange Cap in IPL, and that doesn’t happen by chance.”

The road ahead for India

With India’s bench brimming with explosive batting talent, selectors face a pleasant headache in choosing the best XI for the Asia Cup. But as Harbhajan Singh insists, Shubman Gill’s adaptability, technique, and temperament make him a vital asset. Whether anchoring an innings or accelerating at will, Gill offers balance to a line-up stacked with power-hitters.

As the Asia Cup draws closer, one thing is clear India’s strength lies not just in its depth, but in players like Shubman Gill, who can adapt, evolve, and rise to the occasion.