Brisbane, November 9 (Udaipur Kiran) — Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav has responded to the ongoing debate surrounding Shubman Gill’s strike rate in T20 cricket, praising the opener’s partnership with Abhishek Sharma and highlighting their mutual understanding at the crease.

Gill, who made his T20 comeback during the Asia Cup 2025, has faced criticism over his strike rate in recent matches. In the fourth T20 against Australia, he scored 46 off 39 balls, contributing to India’s 48-run victory but drawing scrutiny for his pacing. However, in the final T20 at Brisbane, the right-hander silenced critics with an explosive unbeaten 29 off just 16 balls, including six fours, at a strike rate of 181.25. The match was later abandoned due to rain, but India sealed the five-match series 2–1.

Speaking after the series, Suryakumar defended Gill, saying, “Shubman and Abhishek form a fantastic opening pair. They both try to match each other’s strike rate — it’s like fire meeting fire. When the wicket is good, they go all out, and when it’s tough, they adjust accordingly. You saw in the previous match how Gill adapted to the conditions. Their communication and understanding are excellent.”

The Indian skipper also spoke about the team’s collective growth, adding, “I feel lucky to lead a side full of talented players with different skill sets. The boys enjoy being on the field together, and our strategy over the past six to eight months has been consistent. The bond is getting stronger, and the young bowlers are learning a lot from Boom (Jasprit Bumrah).”

When a journalist compared the Gill–Abhishek duo to “fire and ice,” Abhishek laughed and interrupted, saying, “No, I know his game very well — which bowlers he’ll attack. He knows mine too. Sometimes he even tells me, ‘Play a few balls carefully, then go for that shot.’ We’ve been roommates since childhood, and that understanding really helps.”