Shubman Gill faces role shift as Abhishek Sharma steals show in India’s new opening combination

Former India pacer Varun Aaron feels Shubman Gill might be adjusting to a new role as Abhishek Sharma’s explosive batting reshapes India’s T20 opening strategy against Australia.

Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma (Image Credit: BCCI)

India’s T20I series against Australia has sparked a new narrative at the top of the order, where Abhishek Sharma’s fearless hitting has started to outshine the calm consistency of Shubman Gill. Former India pacer Varun Aaron believes this sudden shift in dominance may have left Gill in an unusual position, adapting from being India’s primary aggressor to playing the anchor role. With both openers in fine touch, the discussion now centers on how India can balance aggression and stability without stifling either player’s natural game.

Shubman Gill’s adaptation and Abhishek Sharma’s rise

Varun Aaron, speaking on the evolving dynamics of India’s opening pair, pointed out that Gill might be finding it “a bit weird” to play a secondary role. Not long ago, the Punjab batter was the centerpiece of India’s T20 setup, leading the charge with elegant stroke play and steady acceleration. However, Abhishek Sharma’s blistering strike rate in the 2025 T20I series has redefined that hierarchy, making him the focal point of India’s powerplay dominance.

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Gill, who managed a strike rate in the mid-130s during the series, continued to contribute solidly without producing fireworks. In contrast, Sharma’s 160+ strike rate and fearless shot-making have made him one of India’s most talked-about young stars. Aaron described their chemistry as “a blend of ice and fire” with Gill stabilizing while Sharma goes all out from ball one.

The challenge for Gill now lies in adjusting his tempo to suit the team’s evolving template. India’s recent T20 approach, emphasizing quick starts and aggressive powerplays, fits Sharma’s natural game perfectly. Yet, Gill’s ability to play long, calculated innings remains invaluable, especially on tougher pitches.

"Shubman Gill must be finding it a bit weird because one-and-a-half or two years ago, Shubman Gill was the leader, if you can say so, within this combination, in the IPL, playing for India in T20Is, and getting consistent runs. He is still getting runs, but Abhishek Sharma is just obliterating everybody with his strike rate," he responded.

"Gill is somebody who is playing the ice role in this combination, Abhishek being the fire. Both of them go about their work very effortlessly. Shubman Gill, in the last T20I, just showed how much class he has. He just has to hold his position and he can do everything from there itself," added Aaron.

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