‘There is no point in selecting Prithvi Shaw if he is not playing’ -Twitter unpleased as Hardik Pandya overlooks Shaw for Shubman Gill

India will look to play the three T20Is against New Zealand with an eye on the future. The T20Is have come at an odd time just before the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and also in a year where the fifty-over World Cup will be held at home.

India are likely to stick with the opening pair of Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, which was the opening combination that India went for against Sri Lanka. The huge talking point that has engulfed cricket fans in India is whether Prithvi Shaw should open for India in T20Is.

The Mumbai batter has forced his way back into the India T20I setup on the back of a huge volume of runs in domestic cricket. If brought back into the side, Shaw will be an ideal candidate for India in the powerplay as he would look for boundaries in the first six overs, which would also take the pressure off his opening partner at the other end.

Shubman Gill had a wonderful Indian T20 League season in 2022

Shubman Gill made his T20I debut in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. He did not set the stage on fire and scored just 58 runs from the three matches against the Islanders. He had the highest score of 46. Gill had an average of 19.33 and a strike rate of 131.81 in the series.

Interestingly, Gill, in the 2022 edition of the Indian T20 League, had one of his best seasons for the Gujarat Franchise, which helped them in getting a title in their very first season. In 16 matches, he scored 463 runs at an average of 34.50 and a strike rate of 132.32. He had the highest score of 96 and hit four half-centuries in that season.

In the Indian T20 League and the Indian cricket circles, Gill’s strike rate has been talked about and some questions have been raised. It will be interesting to see how Shaw will be incorporated into the side. Hardik Pandya, as the T20I skipper of India, has firmly thrown his weight behind Gill at present.

Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter

Sai Baba pic.twitter.com/SqReFzWxvL

— Ashru (@humorash) January 26, 2023

Probably last some chances for shubman gill. He wasted opportunities in SL t20. Huge imp series for him. If he doesn't do well, don't see him t20 set up unless n until he has a excellent ipl with 130-140 sr.

— PK (@LM10Supremacy) January 26, 2023

I guess this series could be a do or die for Gill (atleast for the near future).

Gill didn't perform well in SL T20I series. If he doesn't here, then management might look to try alternatives like Shaw, Gaikwad & even Tripathi as an opener.

— Advaitya Chandhoke (@AdvaityaC) January 26, 2023

Ishan Kishan struggles to capitalise on the PPs, something that Prithvi Shaw would be adept at doing. Together with Gill who takes his time to settle in, India would struggle to score in the PPs against better opposition like they did in the T20 WC.

— Dr. Thanos 🌎 (@Worldconquero11) January 26, 2023

Shubhman Gill is outstanding batsman in tests and ODIs, but frankly speaking.. he has to wait for a place in T20 probables until he improves his strike rate.. Prithvi Shaw is the right guy for us to lead as an opener.. please groom him for the next T20 World Cup ❤️

— Karthik Reddy (@urstrulykarthy) January 26, 2023

How can you judge gill by single series?
He debuted against SL in last series..
You can't chop and change in every series… Any player should be given atleast 3 series to perform

— Naveesh alankar (@alankar_naveesh) January 26, 2023

I would prefer Prithvi to Ishan.
Players have to perform in every match, Ishan's performance … One hit after 4 flop shows.@BCCI @hardikpandya7

— Jha mode (@I_m_receptive) January 26, 2023

These Selections are based on emotions and not logic. If Gill has done well in odi, it doesn't mean he automatically comes ahead of shaw in t20. If Shaw is not playing then no use selecting him. Don't bench him.

— CricketOnly (@Stayupdatedbro) January 26, 2023

Wow pic.twitter.com/uo2WYityNW

— Stunner 13:1 🇮🇳💙 (@Clownkillers007) January 26, 2023

This pandya is most biased captain till now, I mean on what basis gill is playing ahead of shaw in t20is??
He thinks indian fans are still living in that era where team was mixing two formats

— R (@Thunder3108) January 26, 2023