"I am wondering whether Shubman Gill should have also been sent back" - Aakash Chopra on Kuldeep Yadav returning from AUS vs IND 2025 T20Is

Former India player Aakash Chopra has wondered whether Shubman Gill, just like Kuldeep Yadav, should have been released from the Men in Blue T20I squad amid the ongoing series against Australia. He highlighted that both India and Australia have released players in the middle of the series to prepare them for the more important red-ball assignments ahead.

The five-match T20I series between India and Australia is currently tied at 1-1, with two games left. While Kuldeep was released from the Indian squad ahead of the third T20I, Travis Head will not be a part of the Australian squad for the remaining two games.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener questioned whether Gill should have also returned home with Kuldeep.

"Travis Head is now out of the T20I series. He will go and practice with the red ball because the Ashes are about to come. Kuldeep Yadav has also returned home because he will play for India A against South Africa A, so that he can also prepare for red-ball cricket. I am wondering whether Shubman Gill should have also been sent back," he said.

Chopra wondered why the T20I series is being played as both sides aren't considering it as important as their upcoming Test assignments.

"Josh Hazlewood wasn't there already. Glenn Maxwell might become available now, but Travis Head won't be there. It's a strange series. It's a bilateral series, but is it actually an important series? If preparations for something else are more important as compared to what is happening currently, it means this is not that important. Then why are they playing?" he observed.

The fourth T20I between India and Australia will be played in Carrara on Thursday, November 6. Brisbane will host the final T20I two days later.

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"His tour isn't going very good" - Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill ahead of AUS vs IND 2025 4th T20I

Shubman Gill has been dismissed cheaply in his last two innings in the ongoing T20I series against Australia. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Shubman Gill could have been released as he hasn't fared well thus far, with the pressure potentially mounting on him with each failure.

"I felt Shubman Gill could have been released as well because his tour isn't going very good, and the more such innings keep happening, the more pressure might be mounting on him. Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal are breathing down his neck," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Gill could have been sent to India to prepare for the crucial Test series against South Africa.

"He could have been released and asked to prepare for red-ball cricket. When the selectors don't wish to play Travis Head and Kuldeep Yadav, you can also go. The two-match series against South Africa will be very important," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra highlighted that South Africa cannot be taken lightly, considering they have recently won a Test match in Pakistan and are the current world champions. He pointed out that New Zealand beat India 3-0 last year when the Kiwis came prepared after playing on the turning pitches in Sri Lanka.

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Edited by Kartik Iyer