Shubman Gill returned to India's T20I side after 14 months during the Asia Cup in September. The Punjab batter just didn't make a comeback, but was also appointed as the vice-captain in the shortest format. Fans were curious to know how Shubman, making a comeback to the side after spending over a year focusing on Tests and ODIs, got to open the batting from the first match onwards in the Asia Cup, pushing the in-form Sanju Samson down the order.
In October-November, Samson had scored three centuries in five T20Is while opening the batting. However, ahead of the first T20I between India and South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, captain Suryakumar Yadav explained the rationale behind Shubman opening the batting ahead of Samson.
Suryakumar said that Shubman was India's opener during the T20I series in Sri Lanka in July 2024 when he had taken charge of the team. That is why, despite Samson's performance in the subsequent assignments, Shubman got to bat at his favourite spot upon returning to the side.
