Shubman Gill, India’s T20I vice-captain, has reached Ahmedabad with Team India ahead of their fifth and final T20I against South Africa. While it was being learnt that Gill was ruled out of the 4th T20I in Lucknow, the match was eventually abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a thick layer of fog, even the toss could not be held.
PTI also reported that Gill was ruled out of the remainder of the series. However, the right-handed batter travelling to Ahmedabad suggests that a final call on his participation in the series finale might be taken on the match day itself. Gill sustained a blow to his toe in the buildup to the 4th T20I.
Sanju Samson likely to replace Gill if the latter is ruled out
Whether or not Gill is available for selection may be decided on match day but in case the 26-year-old is ruled out, Sanju Samson is almost certain of replacing him in the XI. This is because Samson looked at his best form at the top of the order but when the the management decided to include Gill in the T20 scheme of things, he had to make way for him at the top of the order.
Subsequently, it was Jitesh Sharma who emerged as the best fit as a keeper-batter who can bat lower down the order, forcing Samson to warm the benches. With runs under his belt at the top of the order, Samson emerges as the first choice to replace Gill as an opener.
Gill suffered a neck injury during the Test series against South Africa
Gill, who is captaining Team India in the Test and ODI formats, had earlier picked up an injury in the Test series opener in Kolkata. Not only did he miss the two Tests but he was also subsequently ruled out of the three-match ODI series that followed.
As far as the five-match T20I series is concerned, India lead the bilateral arrangement 2-1 heading into the final match of the series in Ahmedabad, implying that cannot lose the series from here.