Overview
- India replaced Sanju Samson with Jitesh Sharma for the third T20I in Hobart, and Jitesh hit 22 not out off 13 as a chase of 187 was completed with nine balls left.
- Aakash Chopra called the move a “randomized” selection and warned that such changes suggest uncertainty over the first-choice T20 wicketkeeper.
- Chopra highlighted Shubman Gill’s lean run in the series after an unbeaten 37 in the opener, followed by scores of 5 and 15, reflecting broader concern over his T20 returns.
- Opinion pieces urged India to drop Gill ahead of the T20 World Cup and promoted alternatives such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, Prabhsimran Singh, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Priyansh Arya.
- Kuldeep Yadav was sent home for India A duties in South Africa, and Chopra wondered if Gill should have been withdrawn as well, with team management yet to clarify roles or squad changes.