Mohammad Kaif welcomed the Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI selectors' decision of appointing Shubman Gill as the new T20I vice-captain of the Indian team. On Tuesday, August 19, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav announced a 15-man squad for next month's Asia Cup. Gill returned to the T20I setup and replaced Axar Patel as Suryakumar's deputy.
Gill has not been a part of India's T20 side since the tour of Sri Lanka in July 2024. He was among the reserves in the 2024 T20 World Cup side in June. Yashasvi Jaiswal was India's backup opener at the marquee event. However, for the Asia Cup, the Punjab batter has pipped Jaiswal and made it to the squad.
Kaif said that Gill showcased his leadership skills during the Test tour of England, which concluded earlier this month. The 25-year-old finished as the highest run-getter and helped India level the series 2-2. Kaif also mentioned that Gill has performed well as the captain of Gujarat Titans and that helped him earn a promotion in the Indian T20 side.