Mohammad Kaif Urges India to Drop Shubman Gill, Back Sanju Samson as Opener

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif opined that Shubman Gill should be rested due to poor form and Sanju Samson deserves a chance.

Shubman Gill continues to struggle for runs in T20 cricket, raising debate around India’s opening combination. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has urged the team management to reconsider their backing of Gill despite repeated failures. He feels Sanju Samson deserves a return as opener, pointing out that the wicketkeeper-batter has not enjoyed an extended run despite consistent performances elsewhere.

The former batter also stressed that leadership roles should not guarantee selection. He pointed out that India have rested senior players in the past when team balance demanded change.

“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,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

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“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,” he added.

Multiple Roles May Add Pressure on Gill

Mohammad Kaif then suggested that the workload may have affected Gill’s batting form. He feels the responsibilities arrived too quickly for one player to handle together.

“I have said this before: Shubman Gill has received too many responsibilities at once. Test captaincy, ODI captaincy, T20 vice-captaincy no player can carry that much weight at once. It is simply not possible. Responsibilities should be given gradually,” the former cricketer concluded.