India batter Shubman Gill&rsquo;s place in the T20I squad has come under scrutiny after a lacklustre performance in the recent five-match series against Australia. 
Opening alongside Abhishek Sharma, Gill scored just 132 runs across five matches, raising doubts about his position ahead of India&rsquo;s upcoming T20I series against South Africa in December.
Before this, Gill had also struggled during the Asia Cup 2025, even as India went on to lift the trophy. 
Several former players and fans have called for Yashasvi Jaiswal to replace Gill as Abhishek&rsquo;s opening partner in the shortest format.
Weighing in on the debate, former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin endorsed Jaiswal as the ideal opening choice, stating that the young batter has already proven himself in T20Is.
"I don't think there is any connection between Tests and T20Is. One should keep these formats separate. It is essential to recognise that Jaiswal has done everything necessary. He cannot come into the T20I side by scoring more Test runs. He has already done enough. He is striking close to 160, which is higher than that in the powerplay, and he is averaging quite well too," Ashwin said on his channel Ash Ki Baat.
Ashwin further added, "Abhishek Sharma and Jaiswal are the most aggressive openers in India at this point. If you want to send two aggressive openers, then these two are your guys. I think that if they want a bit of fire and ice, this is what the Indian team is balancing. Abhishek is fire, and ice can be found in Shubman."
With the T20 World Cup approaching in February&ndash;March 2026, Ashwin believes the Indian selectors will continue to experiment with opening combinations to find the best fit.
"As we get closer to the World Cup, I think the T20I series will see different opening combinations. I have a feeling that there will be a change, not a small one, but a big one, and I think others will get opportunities," he said.

Ashwin backs Jaiswal-Abhishek as India openers

Ashwin suggests Jaiswal-Abhishek as ideal opening pair, questions Gill’s T20I position

Gill’s T20I Spot In Doubt, Ashwin Backs Jaiswal

Ashwin suggests Jaiswal-Abhishek as ideal opening pair, questions Gill’s T20I position

November 12, 2025 | 15:35 IST