In a daring and provocative statement, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has commented on Shubman Gill’s selection as vice-captain of India’s 2025 Asia Cup team, describing it as a calculated decision that shows the selectors’ long-term planning. In addition to complimenting Gill’s recent performance, Pathan expressed concern about the young batter’s strike rate in T20 internationals, indicating that it may be a crucial area for development as India prepares for the crucial competition in the United Arab Emirates.
Gill returns to the T20I setup after a year-long break, having last played in the format prior to the 2024 T20 World Cup, as part of the 15-man roster that was revealed on August 19. He was chosen as vice captain after an incredible performance in the England Test series, accumulating 754 runs in five games, and a successful IPL 2025 season in which he scored 650 runs at a strike-rate of 155.87.
Pathan did note, though, that Gill’s T20I strike-rate of 139.27 from 21 games is behind that of some of his peers. Shubman Gill’s strike rate is a bit lower in international cricket. That duty will fall on him if he can raise it,” Pathan stated on his YouTube channel. “I’m interested to see how he adjusts to the challenge of consistently hitting with a good strike-rate in T20 cricket in Ahmedabad and other slow pitches.”
Irfan Pathan believes that Shubman Gill’s appointment as vice captain is a sign of preparation for the future
Pathan’s remarks demonstrate the continuous change in mindset in Indian T20 cricket under the new coaching staff of Gautam Gambhir. Attacking has been given priority from the start, with an emphasis on “high-risk, high-reward” cricket. Gill’s strike rate may not fit this aggressive blueprint, but his recent performance and leadership traits seem to have persuaded the selectors to include him in the leadership group.
Given that Gill is already India’s Test captain and ODI vice-captain, Pathan underlined that his promotion to the leadership group across all formats is a clear indication of the selectors’ intention to develop him into a potential all-format leader, notwithstanding the statistical concerns. As current T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav approaches 35, the decision to appoint Gill as his successor is viewed as a proactive one.
Gill’s performance as Test captain in England, where he scored 754 runs and showed composed leadership, was commended by chief selector Ajit Agarkar during the squad announcement. According to Agarkar, the selectors “do see leadership qualities in him,” and Gill has “exceeded all our expectations.” This implies that the goal of Gill’s promotion is to prepare him for a larger leadership role across formats in the future rather than to reward him for his immediate T20 strike rate.
The squad is therefore critically analyzed by Irfan Pathan’s statement. Although he acknowledges the statistical case against Gill’s strike rate in the context of Twenty20 cricket, he looks beyond it to the wider picture. The team management views Gill as a vital component of Indian cricket for many years to come, despite the immediate worries about his scoring rate in the format. This is demonstrated by Gill’s appointment as vice captain, which is a big vote of confidence in him. Gill will now face a significant test in the Asia Cup as a batter and a potential leader under captain Suryakumar Yadav’s tutelage.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Ramandeep Singh Shares His Experience Of Playing With Shubman Gill.