Harbhajan Singh: Shubman Gill Vital for Asia Cup Despite Young Talent

The roar of the crowd, the flash of the willow – India’s T20I setup buzzes with exhilarating talent. Yet, as selectors finalize the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, a crucial debate simmers: where does Shubman Gill fit amidst a surging wave of young batting dynamos like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma? Spin legend Harbhajan Singh has thrown his weight firmly behind Gill, insisting the classy opener remains indispensable despite the fierce competition.

Gill’s pedigree in ODIs and Tests, especially his recent captaincy heroics in England, is undisputed. However, his absence from India’s last three T20I series (against Bangladesh, South Africa, and England) – largely due to prioritization of Test cricket and ODI preparation for the Champions Trophy – sparked questions about his T20I role. Yet, his presence as a travelling reserve in India’s triumphant T20 World Cup squad, followed by captaincy in Zimbabwe and vice-captaincy against Sri Lanka, underlined his continued standing. The emergence of Sharma, who smashed a century on debut, the consistent brilliance of captain Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma’s record-breaking run of 318 T20I runs without dismissal have intensified the top-order contest.

Why Harbhajan Singh Says Shubman Gill Can’t Be Overlooked

Speaking to TimesofIndia.com, Harbhajan Singh delivered a powerful endorsement. “Yes, we do have players like Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, but you cannot undermine or underestimate Shubman Gill,” the former off-spinner asserted. “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 challenged the perception that T20 success is solely about relentless aggression. “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,” he explained, highlighting Gill’s unique value proposition. He emphasized Gill’s technical foundation: “A batter with such a strong foundation can score runs in any format. If Shubman decides to attack, he can match anyone… it’s not like he bats only at a strike rate of 120 or 130; he can also bat at a strike rate of 160.”

Gill’s T20I Credentials: Beyond the Numbers

Gill’s T20I record, though built over just 21 matches, is compelling. He boasts 578 runs at an average of 30.42 and a healthy strike rate of 139.27, including one century and three fifties. His ability to blend anchor and aggressor roles was vividly displayed in IPL 2025, where he amassed 650 runs in 15 innings at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.87, featuring six half-centuries. Notably, Gill belongs to an elite group of Indian batsmen with centuries across all three international formats, underscoring his versatility.

Must Know

1. Why was Shubman Gill absent from recent T20I series?
   Gill was rested or involved in Test/ODI commitments, including preparation for the Champions Trophy. His status remained high, evidenced by his T20 World Cup reserve role and subsequent captaincy/vice-captaincy assignments.
2. What makes Shubman Gill a strong contender for the Asia Cup T20I squad?
   His proven all-format class, adaptability, solid technical base, ability to play both anchor and aggressor roles, and impressive IPL 2025 performance (650 runs, SR 155.87) make him a compelling choice despite emerging competition.
3. Who are Shubman Gill’s main competitors for a T20I opening spot?
   Emerging talents like Abhishek Sharma (century on debut) and established stars like captain Suryakumar Yadav and the in-form Tilak Varma (record 318 T20I runs undismissed) provide significant competition for top-order positions.
4. What did Harbhajan Singh specifically say about Gill’s T20I role?
   Harbhajan stressed that Gill “cannot be undermined or underestimated,” highlighting his adaptability and ability to play crucial rescue innings, countering the notion that T20 is only about constant big hitting. He also pointed to Gill’s IPL Orange Cap success and strike-rate flexibility.
5. What are Shubman Gill’s key T20I statistics?
   In 21 T20Is, Gill has scored 578 runs at an average of 30.42 and a strike rate of 139.27, including 1 century and 3 fifties. His IPL 2025 performance was stellar: 650 runs at 50 avg, 155.87 SR.
6. When is the Asia Cup squad announcement expected?
   While the exact date isn’t specified in the source, the article context (published Aug 19, 2025) suggests the announcement is imminent as discussions around selection intensify.

Shubman Gill’s blend of classical technique, proven big-match temperament across formats, and the powerful backing of a cricketing giant like Harbhajan Singh make him a formidable contender. While India revels in an embarrassment of top-order riches, overlooking a player of Gill’s caliber and recent IPL dominance for the Asia Cup seems a gamble few selectors would consciously take. His ability to construct an innings or dismantle an attack provides invaluable balance. Watch for his name when the final squad is unveiled.