Follow UsAfter not being part of India’s T20I setup for a year, Shubman Gill made a return out of nowhere, as India named their squad for the Asia Cup 2025. Gill’s inclusion meant that the selectors had to overlook Yashasvi Jaiswal despite the young opener putting up amazing numbers in IPL 2025, where he scored 559 runs with a strike rate of 159.71.
Gill followed the new-gen Indian template on his T20I comeback, smashing 20 off just nine balls, batting at a strike rate of 222.22. In the aftermath of his knock, former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja reckoned that Gill is the ‘chosen one’, and that’s why he’s getting several advantages in Indian colours.
"He is the chosen one of Indian cricket. Everyone already has high expectations of him. He has a special talent; there is no two ways about it. If they have picked him ahead of Yashasvi Jaiswal, and as many felt, Sanju Samson, you can imagine how extremely privileged he is,” Jadeja told Sony Sports Network, reported Hindustan Times.
Jadeja further added that the Indian selectors are looking at Gill as the future captain, and the only pressure he has right now is of privilege.
“And the only reason is that people think he is in it for the long haul. He has the consistency; is looked at as India's future captain. That's why he is getting advantages. That's the only pressure he will feel, of privilege, not about his place in the team," Jadeja added.
While Gill showed what he can offer in the Asia Cup opener, his biggest test will be against Pakistan in a high-pressure clash. However, Jadeja believes that Gill’s attacking nature might affect his consistency.
"Whatever we saw from this little innings from him, he has repaid the faith. Because when you play eight batters, your own consistency won’t matter. You are expected to do well, but that six that he hit, I think, going forward, his strike-rate will improve, but consistency might dip a little," he added.