Despite the return of Shubman Gill in Asia Cup 2025, India managed to win the continental event for the ninth time in the UAE last month. Notably, it was Gill’s first assignment as a vice-captain in the shortest format, apart from being the Test captain and a deputy to Rohit Sharma in ODIs.

India’s Journey in Asia Cup 2025

The Suryakumar Yadav-led side remained unbeaten to achieve glory. Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was the Player of the Tournament for scoring 314 runs at a strike rate of 200. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav bagged 17 wickets to emerge as the most successful bowler. On that note, let’s take a look at how Shubman Gill’s T20I return affected India’s T20 batting order in the Asia Cup 2025.

How’s Shubman Gill’s T20I Return?

Shubman Gill opened with Abhishek Sharma in the Asia Cup 2025. He replaced Sanju Samson, who formed an opening pair with Sharma on 12 occasions in T20Is last year. Although the pair scored 267 runs at an average of 22.25, their quick starts helped the Men in Blue to win 10 out of 12 games.

Shubman Gill for India in Finals

28, 8 (2021 WTC)
13, 18 (2023 WTC)
27* (2023 Asia Cup)
4 (2023 Worldcup)
31 (2025 CT)
12 (2025 Asia Cup)*#AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/2nHmto7a40

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) September 28, 2025

Gill ended the tournament with only 127 runs in seven innings at an average of 21.16 and a strike rate of 151.19. His best knock of 47 off 28 came against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage, where he stitched a 105-run partnership to help India seal the 172-run target easily. However, apart from this game, the failures of Shubman Gill in Asia Cup 2025 were quite evident. He failed to remain in the crease for a longer duration and fell to a single-digit score, especially against Oman (5) and Sri Lanka (4). In particular, Gill’s wicket against Pakistan put India under pressure in the Asia Cup 2025 final. He scored 12 off 10 and was dismissed while playing an irresponsible shot.

Uncertainty Around Other Batting Positions

A disappointing Shubman Gill’s T20I return disrupted India’s T20 batting order and put Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav out of position. Samson made history in 2024 by becoming the first cricketer to score three T20I centuries in a single calendar year. He achieved the feat while batting as an opener and got enough balls to showcase his talent and cement himself as a first-choice keeper.

In Asia Cup 2025 :-

Sanju Samson :- 3 Inning/ 108 Runs/ 6 Sixes/ 1-fifty (no.3 & no.5)

Shubman Gill :- 6 Inning/ 115 Runs/ 2 Sixes/ 0-fifty (Opening) pic.twitter.com/Baym4kZdl0

— CricSachin (@Sachin_Gandhi7) September 26, 2025

However, Sanju Samson couldn’t quite impress in the Asia Cup, while batting at No. 3 and No. 5. Although he scored 56 against Oman at No. 3, it was a little scratchy innings. In the final against Pakistan, he scored 24 off 21 and didn’t look comfortable with the Men in Blue losing three wickets on the trot. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav fluctuated his batting order between No. 4 and No. 3, which hampered his momentum. He scored just 72 runs at a dismal average of 18.

Related Article：Is It Time to Restore Sanju Samson as Opener Before the World Cup?

IN THIS ASIA CUP

– Tilak Verma: 150 runs (2nd most for India, 48 avg)
– Shubman Gill: 115 runs (20 avg 😭)

Guess whose place was being questioned by the so called cricket experts 🤣❤️!! pic.twitter.com/eecoeAhK9F

— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) September 27, 2025

In order to fit Shubman Gill in Asia Cup 2025 squad and also elevate him as his deputy, SKY could not arrest his slide in the shortest format. His last fifty came in October 2024 against Bangladesh, and he possesses an average of just 11.11 in T20Is this year. Due to Abhishek Sharma’s onslaught, India managed to post/chase big totals in the tournament, despite Samson and Yadav’s bad form. The only positive in the batting department apart from Sharma was Tilak Varma, who scored 213 runs and played a match-winning knock of 69* in the final.

How Can India Refine the Current Setup for the T20 World Cup 2026?

The biggest lesson India can take from the Asia Cup 2025 is restructuring their batting order. Shubman Gill’s T20I return coincided with India building a strong core for the T20I World Cup 2026. Shubman Gill in Asia Cup 2025 didn’t offer much to the Indian team, but he will remain an opener for the side at least until the 2026 T20 World Cup, being a vice-captain. It might be the selectors’ strategy to appoint him as a leader in the near future across all formats.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

Zimbabwe and Namibia have qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. 🏆

Take a look at the teams qualified so far for the mega event. 🔥#Cricket #T20WC #ICC #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/3UhHwLAC4b

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) October 2, 2025

The Indian team is set to compete in back-to-back T20I series against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Barring the Australia series, the Indian team will host the other two teams on home soil. The pitches and conditions in the T20 World Cup in February will also remain the same, with India and Sri Lanka as the hosts.

India’s Openers Post T20 World Cup 2024 🇮🇳🏏 pic.twitter.com/YvRqzTEAz2

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) October 1, 2025

With a fixed opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Gill, India’s T20 batting order needs more stability than flexibility. They can bring Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya are perfect for the No. 5 and No. 6 spots. Then, Shivam Dube/Axar Patel/Rinku Singh can play the role of a finisher for the side. After resting first-choice pacer Jasprit Bumrah, India also brought in the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana in the XI. Although Arshdeep had an economy of over 10, he displayed his death bowling skills in the Super Over against Sri Lanka, helping India to win the game. The left-arm pacer should be the second pacer, along with Bumrah, in the T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Rana had an economy of 11.28 and has proven to be a mismatch for the T20I team and should be dropped ahead of the next series. With Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Pandya in the XI, the pace battery will be more than enough for the sub-continent pitches. Meanwhile, the team management can decide on picking between Dube/Patel depending upon the pitch’s assistance. Kuldeep Yadav was the star bowler for the side and managed to secure wickets at consistent intervals. He needs to be the first-choice spin option for skipper Suryakumar Yadav due to his wicket-taking abilities.

Varun Chakravarthy is another potent spin option who impressed in the Asia Cup, and his bowling in tandem with Yadav can put the opposition under serious pressure in the showpiece event. To sum up, Shubman Gill in Asia Cup 2025 has raised questions about the batter’s inclusion in the team, and it is likely going to disrupt India’s set top-order batting lineup in the long run.