Star batsman Shubman Gill‘s struggles in the T20 International format intensified on Thursday when he was dismissed for his first-ever golden duck in international cricket. This unwanted milestone came in the opening over of India’s innings in the second T20I against South Africa in New Chandigarh, raising fresh concerns about his role ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Dismal Dismissal
Chasing a demanding target of 214 runs, Gill’s outing was cut short on the fifth ball of the first over, delivered by South African pacer Lungi Ngidi.
- The Ball: Ngidi delivered a good-length ball on the off stump that pitched and shaped away, catching the batsman flat-footed.
- The Dismissal: Gill, pushing tentatively at the ball, edged it thickly to the wicketkeeper Reeza Hendricks, who completed the catch with a dive to his right. The dismissal was noted by commentators as being “reminiscent of a Test match” due to its technical nature.
An Unwanted Milestone
This golden duck marks a significant low point in Gill’s career:
- International Record: It is his first golden duck across 133 international matches played for India across all three formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is).
- Overall T20 Record: In T20 cricket overall, this was his third golden duck, with the previous two occurring during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2021 and 2022, both against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Contrasting Forms and World Cup Pressure
Gill’s current slump in the shortest format stands in stark contrast to his superb performance earlier this year, where he had a stellar debut series as Test captain against England, scoring 754 runs. That commanding Test form, achieved after the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, convinced selectors to invest heavily in the 25-year-old, bringing him back into the T20I fold and reinstating him as vice-captain with speculation that he could eventually succeed as full-time captain post-T20 World Cup 2026.
- T20I Output: In 14 T20Is this year, Gill has only managed 263 runs from 183 balls at a strike rate slightly above 143, hitting a meager four sixes (only two in the powerplay).
- Opening Partner’s Success: By contrast, his opening partner and best friend, Abhishek Sharma, has flourished, scoring 773 runs from 397 balls in 18 matches in 2025 at a phenomenal strike rate of 188.5, including nearly three sixes per match (48 total).
With only eight matches left before the World Cup commences on February 7, Gill has extremely limited opportunities to convince Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and the selectors that the strategy of building the team around him is the right decision. His performance in the remaining three matches of the South Africa series will be crucial.