Team India T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill had a moderate outing with the bat in the fourth T20I of the five-match series against Australia at Carrara Oval in Queensland on Thursday, November 6. Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first in the penultimate match of the ongoing T20I series in Queensland.

After being put to bat first by the Australia skipper, Mitchell Marsh. Team India posted a total of 167/8 in 20 overs and set a 168-run target for the hosts to chase. Shubman Gill led the visitors' batting with an innings of 46 off 39 balls, while Abhishek Sharma (28), Shivam Dube (22), Axar Patel (21*), and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (20) contributed with quick runs, helping India reach a modest total on the board.

For Australia, Nathan Ellis led the bowling attack with a spell of 3/21 at an economy rate of 5.20 in four overs. Spinner Adam Zampa picked three wickets but conceded 45 runs at an economy rate of 11.20 in his spell of four overs.

Shubman Gill's Performance under Scrutiny

Given his inconsistent performances since his return to the T20I side for the Asia Cup 2025, Shubman Gill's form has been under scrutiny. In the first three matches of the ongoing T20I series against Australia, India's vice-captain registered scores of 37, 5, and 15, raising concerns over his form in the shorter format of the game.

While walking out to bat with his opening partner, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill was under the spotlight as the fans and experts expected him to take charge, anchor the innings, and provide a strong start for India, but his batting approach was quite cautious, rather than aggressively pursuing big shots. As Abhishek was leading India's batting charge, Gill's reluctance to keep up the tempo after the power play raised fresh concerns.

Shubman Gill smashed four boundaries before the powerplay, but he managed to hit only six after the first six overs, slowing down the scoring rate. The 26-year-old played an innings of 46 off 39 balls at a strike rate of 117.95, which is considered modest for a top-order batter in T20 cricket.

Timing. Intent. Class. Pure Skyball energy from Shubman! Gill muscles it for a boundary. #AUSvIND 4th T20I | LIVE NOW twitter/Zva9Po8kUk

- Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 6, 2025

Since his return to T20Is, Shubman Gill has aggregated just 230 runs at an average of 25.11 in 11 matches, highlighting his struggle to consistently make impactful contributions at the top of the order. Gill replaced Sanju Samson at the top of the batting line-up, although he was away from the format to focus on red-ball cricket, but he has yet to deliver an impactful performance in the T20Is.

Gill Slammed for 'Playing Safe'

Shubman Gill's performance received widespread criticism and debate among fans, who were furious over India's vice-captain's cautious approach with the bat, arguing that it hindered India's chances of posting a more competitive total on the board.

Taking to their X handles (formerly Twitter), fans and cricket enthusiasts slammed Shubman Gill for 'playing safe' rather than accelerating the innings and capitalizing on the powerplay, while others questioned the team management's decision to replace Sanju Samson with Gill as an opener, given that the former scored 3 T20I centuries while playing at the top order.

My honest reaction for Shubman Gill twitter/fVgJURqYhR

- Abhishek (@be_mewadi) November 6, 2025

Ever since Shubman Gill has made his way back into the T20 team, India have gone back from staying true to their brand of ultra attacking T20 cricket. We are again going to the "play safe" mindset of the 2022 T20 World Cup times. He is clearly upsetting the balance. #INDvsAUS

- Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) November 6, 2025

Meet Shubman Gill - Never Performs In Important Games - Statpads In Irrelevant Games-Ended Ishan's career to open in ODI-Ended Jaiswal's career to open in T20-Dropped Ruturaj From National teamBecame ODI Captain With Politics Probably The Worst Ever To Play T20i For Ind twitter/jaXYN8nWIq

- (@AaravMsd_07) November 6, 2025

Robbed Samson off his opening position and stopped Jaiswal from getting a place in T20 side only to play Test20. Shubman Gill twitter/YiYOqemGdP

- Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) November 6, 2025

- Blud seen flat pitch- Statpadded some Runs- Played Risk Free Cricket- Huge 117 Strike Rate- Still got BowledWhat an inning from King Shubman Gill to save his place in team. twitter/QRiLCgHnNP

- Selfless45 (@SelflessCricket) November 6, 2025

A classic test match defense from Shubman Gill, now Gill is on 34 runs off 30 balls. He is not even trying, there are 6 batters left to bat rn, shamlessness of highest order this is man. Babar Azam of India for real. twitter/yKdBhb0Vbr

- Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) November 6, 2025

Irrespective of the result the talking point will be Shubman Gill. Jaiswal is sitting out. Samson has been left out after 1 failure at 3.Gill 46 of 39 today will intensify the debate. Should India try YBJ against SAF? @RevSportzGlobal

- Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) November 6, 2025

What do you think of this knock from Shubman Gill? Just remember, he is eating place of Jaiswal & Samson with 170+ strike rate as opener since 2024 WC!! twitter/hkdoYHab71

- Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) November 6, 2025

BCCI, enough politics now. Sanju Samson scored three centuries, yet remains benched. Shubman Gill failed 13 times, yet received a red carpet entry. Gambhir, coach form, not fame. Only true talent deserves a place in the playing eleven. twitter/FLsE2QLWl9

- CricSachin (@Sachin_Gandhi7) November 6, 2025

We are seeing the Babarfication of Shubman Gill. He has been pushed in a format that clearly not his strong suit. This will lead to fans resenting him which might affect his form and confidence in other formats as well, like it happened with Babar.

- Abhishek Anand (@ABkanand) November 6, 2025

Since Shubman Gill's return to the T20,India has crossed 200 just once,and even then,Gill was dismissed for just 4 runsWhen Sanju and Abhishek used to open,we scored over 200 in almost every match is an incredible decline for our T20 team.#AUSvIND twitter/eyfT2V4lKg

- kuldeep singh (@kuldeep0745) November 6, 2025

Shubman Gill in last 11 T20 Inn: - 46(39), 20*(9), 10(7), 5(8), 47(28), 29(19), 4(3), 12(10), 37*(20), 5(10) & 15(12)Inn. - 11 || Runs - 230 || Avg. - 25.56 || SR - 139.39Flop Vice Captain Shubman Gill in T20. Why team India forced fit him in T20 twitter/rBKxqreUG7

- VIKAS (@Vikas662005) November 6, 2025

Shubman Gill does not have an impressive record in T20Is, amassing 808 runs, including a century and 3 fifties, at an average of 28.85 and a strike rate of 139.31 in 32 matches, highlighting that while talented, he has often struggled to consistently dominate in the shortest format.

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