While Suryakumar Yadav has been ably leading India’s T20I team, new Test captain Shubman Gill’s superb form at the recently-concluded five-Test series in England could create doubts in the minds of the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee regarding the captaincy aspect when the selectors sit to pick the team for the upcoming T20 Asia Cup to be played in UAE next month (September 9 to 28). 

Former national chief selector Chandu Borde, however, reckons it’s too early to hand the T20I captaincy reins to Gill. “Shubman is a good batsman and Test captaincy did not affect his batting, but T20Is is a different format, and Suryakumar has been performing well in T20Is, so how can you ignore him? Suryakumar has been handling the Indian T20I team very well and has succeeded. I think he should be continuing as captain at the T20 Asia Cup,” Borde told mid-day over the phone from Pune on Thursday. 

Gill has age on his side

Suryakumar led India to a 4-1 win in a five-match T20I home series in January-February this year. However, former national selector Surendra Bhave feels the current selectors may think about appointing Gill as T20I skipper, keeping the long-term aspect in mind. “Shubman is enjoying captaincy and it seems to be working for him. Surya is already our T20I team captain and if they [selectors] are confident that [34-year-old] Surya will be able to lead at the next T20I World Cup [in February next year in India and Sri Lanka] then they should continue with him as skipper for this Asia Cup. But if they want to move forward and pick a young captain, then [25-year-old] Shubman could be made the T20I skipper. Shubman batted well in England without taking any pressure. He showcased some fine leadership skills [during the Test series] too, so it’s possible that the selectors may hand him the T20I captaincy,” said Bhave.