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"Favouritism Over...": Gambhir Slammed For Shubman Gill's Vice-Captaincy In Asia Cup

Soumyajit Dutta

Shubman Gill and Gambhir together [Source: Screengrabs]Shubman Gill and Gambhir together [Source: Screengrabs]

India confirmed their 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday (August 19), with Suryakumar Yadav continuing as captain. The biggest headline, however, was the appointment of Shubman Gill as vice-captain, a decision that has stirred debate in cricketing circles and among fans. 

The squad announcement was made in Mumbai by BCCI’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar alongside India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav. Gill’s elevation comes despite his inconsistent run in T20 internationals, where he has scored 578 runs in 21 matches at a strike rate of 139.27. 

Jaiswal Snub, Gill's Role Shocks The Internet!

While Shubman Gill's Test form has been exceptional, leading India to a 2-2 series draw in England earlier this month, the selectors’ decision to hand him the deputy role in the shortest format has raised eyebrows. 

Many expected the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal, who boasts a strike rate of 164 in T20Is, to retain his place, or Shreyas Iyer, who piled up over 600 runs in the last IPL at a strike rate of 175, to make the cut. Instead, both were overlooked, strengthening the perception that Gill enjoys the strong backing of Gambhir.

The move highlights a broader strategy under Gambhir, who appears keen to give Gill leadership exposure across formats. Former batting coach Abhishek Nayar also views Gill as a future all-format captain, with this vice-captaincy being the first step in grooming him for the role. Nevertheless, here's how fans reacted to Gill's appointment.

"Shubman Gill shouldn't even be on bench for T20I but he's starting in the Asia Cup with the VC quota. Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir and BCCI need to stop glazing individuals for all formats and keep faith in specialists whom you are grooming." - @EvilRashford

Tweet from X user [Source: Screengrab]Tweet from X user [Source: Screengrab]

"Shubman Gill's appointment as India's vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025, a surprising move given his recent struggles to secure a consistent T20I spot, as noted in a Times of India live update from August 19, 2025, reflecting a strategic shift by coach Gautam Gambhir to leverage his Test captaincy success." - @AshishTomar56

Tweet from X user [Source: Screengrab]Tweet from X user [Source: Screengrab]

"We can clearly see how Gambhir and BCCI is trying to fit in GILL as all 3 formats captain and the reason behind this is Gill will be puppet of Bcci and Gambhir sadly and when team will lose they will put whole blame on Gill!" - @crickohlic

"Since Gambhir started and Gill it’s all politics" - @ExplorerTejas

"As always favouritism prevailed over merit, Agarkar & Gambhir again did bad to merit: - Jaiswal with 164 sr in T20I dropped, Gill with 139 sr & lesser avg selected. Jaiswal is real T20I player. - Shreyas not selected despite 600+ runs IPL with 175 sr." - @Rajiv1841

Tweet from X user [Source: Screengrab]Tweet from X user [Source: Screengrab]

"Shubman gill test aur t20 dono khel skta hai Pr jaiswal sirf test khelega Bc jaiswal t20 me kaise form me hai aur uska kitna natural t20 game hai usko bahar rakha hai Gambhir, agarakar" - @Swapnil35550095

The Asia Cup, beginning September 9, will test the effectiveness of this approach, with India opening against the UAE on September 10. While Gill’s leadership potential is unquestioned, social media raised their voice on Gautam Gambhir's influence that led to Gill's appointment.