Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh thinks people are making a big mistake about Shubman Gill. He wants selectors to pick Gill for the Asia Cup 2025 despite what critics say.
Why Harbhajan Backs Gill for T20 Cricket
Harbhajan watched Gill bat during the recent IPL season and saw something special happening. Gill hit runs at a strike rate over 160, which proves he can play fast. Many people think he’s only good for Test cricket, but Harbhajan disagrees completely.
The former spinner believes Gill has better batting basics than most T20 players today. He can build innings and then explode when the team needs quick runs.
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India’s T20 team already has big hitters like Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in it. But Harbhajan thinks Gill brings something different that these players can’t provide.
“In the T20 format, it’s important to understand that it’s not just about big hitting. If Shubman decides to attack, he can match anyone because he is a very solid player with strong basics. A batter with such a strong foundation can score runs in any format,” Harbhajan said.
“If you look at the IPL, Shubman has scored runs every season. He has worn the Orange Cap — and that doesn’t happen by chance. And it’s not like he bats only at a strike rate of 120 or 130; he can also bat at a strike rate of 160,” he added.
Gill’s Test captaincy experience also helps him understand match situations better than younger players. This cricket intelligence makes him valuable in pressure moments during tournaments.
Indian Cricket’s Big Changes Happening Now
Harbhajan pointed out that Indian cricket is going through major changes right now. Senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma aren’t playing every T20 series anymore.
“See, cricket never stops for anyone. Whether we talk about the time of Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, or Sachin Tendulkar, the game has always gone on. Someone or the other comes in and takes the team forward,” he said.
“Right now, the way Shubman Gill and his teammates have played in England… Rohit and Virat have left their legacy in the right hands. We have seen the shift happen smoothly. It will be a big tournament that will be played without Virat and Rohit.”
Someone needs to carry forward the legacy that Kohli and Rohit built over the years. Harbhajan believes Gill has the right mindset and skills to handle this pressure.
The transition period can be tricky for any cricket team around the world. But Harbhajan thinks India’s young players are ready to prove themselves on big stages.
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Building the Perfect Asia Cup Squad
When cricket experts asked Harbhajan about his ideal Asia Cup team, he included Gill. The former spinner thinks balance matters more than just having power hitters everywhere.
“I think the squad should be: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav – the captain, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag for the middle order, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant,” Harbhajan gives his squad.
T20 cricket needs players who can stay at the crease for long periods sometimes. Gill provides this stability while other batsmen swing for big shots around him.
The veteran cricketer wants selectors to think beyond just strike rates and sixes. Smart batting and match awareness win tournaments, not just hitting boundaries constantly.
