New Delhi, Dec 8 (NationPress) Former Indian pace bowler Irfan Pathan has shown his enthusiasm regarding Shubman Gill and his potential in the forthcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. Pathan expressed his desire for the opener to showcase impressive performances that will solidify his position in the team leading up to the World Cup next year.

After experiencing a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, Gill has made his return to the T20I squad post-Asia Cup. However, his recent scores have been inconsistent while partnering with the in-form Abhishek Sharma at the top of the batting order.

“It is vital for Shubman Gill to secure his role as a top-order batsman in T20 cricket. We have faith in players who can perform across formats. His IPL performances have shown his capability. This is an excellent opportunity for him to establish himself in India's T20 International squad. Although there is some pressure, he is indeed a talented player,” stated Pathan.

“I truly hope he excels in this five-match T20I series against South Africa. After a minor injury, he will have ample chances to prove himself over the five matches on favorable pitches. The conditions will be conducive to batting, featuring pace and bounce akin to those in Dharamshala, which he will enjoy,” Pathan added during his discussion on JioStar.

He also highlighted the importance of identifying who will step up as a finisher alongside a returning Hardik Pandya in this series. “It will be interesting to see who takes on the finishing role with Hardik Pandya and how effectively they execute it. This is a critical aspect, especially as we aim to defend our title in the World Cup hosted in India, making it essential for our lower-middle order batsmen to maintain their form.”

“Alongside Hardik, the contributions of other batters become crucial. Axar Patel has the potential, Jitesh Sharma is in the mix, and Rinku Singh could also be included. It’s key to determine who will complement Hardik in the lower order. This will be my focus,” he concluded.

Pathan emphasized the importance of India's fast bowling lineup against the Proteas. “I’m keen to observe how other fast bowlers perform alongside Bumrah. While Bumrah is the leading bowler, we also have Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Arshdeep Singh contributing. Their performances in this series against South Africa will be crucial, especially with the T20 World Cup slated for February next year, making this series essential from a bowling perspective.”