No, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not sacked Shubman Gill from his role as vice-captain, nor has he been dropped from the squad due to poor performance.
The speculation around Gill’s leadership position emerged after he was ruled out of the 4th T20I against South Africa, coupled with a string of underwhelming scores in the ongoing series. However, there has been no official communication from the BCCI or the Indian team management suggesting any change to Gill’s vice-captaincy status.
Why did questions arise around Shubman Gill?
Gill’s recent performances in the T20I series against South Africa have drawn scrutiny:
- 1st T20I: 4 runs off 2 balls
- 2nd T20I (Mullanpur): Golden duck
- 3rd T20I (Dharamsala): 28 runs off 28 balls
While Gill did get starts, he looked far from fluent, especially in a format where strike rate and intent are critical. This has naturally raised questions about his place in the playing XI, particularly with India experimenting ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Why was Gill ruled out of the 4th T20I then?
Gill was ruled out due to a foot injury, not because of performance. Team updates indicated that the decision was precautionary, especially considering:
- Cold and foggy conditions in Lucknow
- The risk of aggravating a minor injury
- India’s long-term focus on World Cup preparation
There is no link between his omission and disciplinary action or leadership changes.
Is Gill’s vice-captaincy under threat?
At this stage, no. Leadership roles in Indian cricket are not decided on the basis of a few T20I performances. Gill remains a long-term investment, particularly in ODIs and Tests, and continues to be part of India’s leadership group across formats.
That said, selection for the playing XI is performance-based, and with competition for top-order spots intensifying, Gill may need stronger returns to cement his place in India’s T20 plans.
Bottom line
- Gill has not been sacked as vice-captain
- His omission from the 4th T20I is injury-related
- Performance concerns exist, but no official action has been taken
- Leadership role remains unchanged as of now
For now, the chatter remains speculative, with the Indian team management sticking to its stated policy of managing fitness and experimenting ahead of major tournaments.
