'Vice-captains have been dropped before as well' - Ex-batter wants India to pick Samson over Shubman Gill

Published - 13 Dec 2025, 15:12 IST | Updated - 13 Dec 2025, 15:38 IST

Star cricketer Shubman Gill isn't enjoying the best of the time in 20-over cricket, as the opening batter is going through a poor run of form in the shortest format. Runs haven't come from his blade, which has prompted many cricket pundits, asking the Indian team to reconsider someone like Sanju Samson as the opener. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has also weighed in on the issue.

During a recent interaction, Kaif has noted the manner in which Gill has been getting dismissed in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. Furthermore, he believes that despite multiple failures, the management is backing the vice-captain, but in reality, Samson should come back into the side in Gill's place, as the wicketkeeper-batter has not received enough chances.

“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. 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,” Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel as quoted by Indian Express.

Sanju Samson vs Shubman Gill - who is better T20I opener?

For the unversed, Gill was announced as the Indian skipper in Tests and ODIs in 2025, followed by a vice-captaincy role in T20Is as well. Kaif further feels that the overburdening of responsibilities on the Punjab cricketer's shoulders is eventually leading to poor showings with the bat. Kaif reckoned that the management should have been patient enough and passed on leadership duties to Gill a little gradually.

“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,” Kaif added.

With the upcoming third T20I, the management is likely to stick to Gill as the preferred opener alongside Abhishek Sharma. However, the 26-year-old will be in the spotlight, as both fans and experts are eagerly waiting for runs from his blade.