Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has suggested that the Indian team management consider giving Shubman Gill a temporary break from the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. Speaking openly about Gill’s recent dip in form, Kaif pointed out that the young batter has been burdened with multiple leadership roles in a short span of time, which may be affecting his performances.
Gill, who has returned to the T20I setup as vice-captain, has struggled to make an impact in the first two matches of the series, registering low scores and failing to find rhythm at the top of the order. According to Kaif, the added pressure of captaining India in Tests and ODIs while also serving as T20 vice-captain is too much responsibility for any player to handle simultaneously.
Kaif highlighted that Gill appears to be trying different approaches at the crease, from aggressive stroke play to experimental shots, but nothing seems to be clicking. He believes this is a clear sign of mental overload rather than a lack of ability. The former batter emphasized that leadership duties should be introduced gradually to allow players to grow without unnecessary pressure.
Backing his argument, Kaif called for a fair selection approach and stressed that even senior or leadership players can be rested if it benefits the team. He strongly advocated for giving Sanju Samson a consistent run at the top order, noting that Samson has delivered exceptional results whenever he has been trusted with regular opportunities. Kaif added that with the T20 World Cup approaching, the management must prioritize form and balance over reputation.
In Kaif’s view, the focus should remain on building a settled and confident squad capable of peaking at the right time. Allowing Gill time away from the spotlight could help him reset, regain confidence, and return stronger for future assignments.