Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu has recommended Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan as a left-field choice for the opening combination for India as they gear up to defend their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup crown in 2028 in Australia and New Zealand.
The former wicketkeeper-batter opined that the pair has the ability to comfortably adjust to conditions in Australia, being able to deal with the pace and bounce of the surfaces. They have been prolific in the IPL this season, putting on 886 runs at a blistering strike rate of 176.14 in 16 games, which includes four century stands and two half-century stands.
“I think we are witnessing a pair that might travel to Australia and tackle the conditions there. The wicket was very similar in pace and bounce. And the ease with which these two are batting. I’ll be surprised if both of them don’t go there,” Rayudu said.
Gill has scored 722 runs in 15 matches, which included a brilliant century in Qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals, while the 2025 Orange Cap winner Sudharsan chases behind with 710 runs in 16 innings. Rayudu has suggested that the pair would complement each other, and if Gill is selected, it makes logical sense for Sudharsan to be there as well.
“If conditions suit them, if you take a Gill, you would like to take Sudharsan as well, because they both complement each other beautifully. You are seeing it in the partnership; they both know each other’s game very well. It’s a great add-on if you want them to excel in different conditions. I am not saying others are not good. It just might be that they both might be more suitable than the others,” Rayudu explained.
Titans’ skipper Gill saw himself lose his spot in the team before the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026, where India defended their crown and became the first three-time winners of the tournament. His prolific season with the bat in the IPL has seen him once again emerge in conversations for the spot in the T20 team.
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