Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav Will Bounce Back Soon, Says India Assistant Coach Ten Doeschate

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has backed captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill despite their extended struggle for runs in T20Is. Both batters endured another poor outing in the second T20I against South Africa in Mullanpur, where India failed to chase 214 and lost by 51 runs. Gill was dismissed for a duck, while Suryakumar managed only five runs.

Their prolonged lean patch has raised concerns with the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, but ten Doeschate insists there is no panic within the team. He said Gill’s dismissals in the series were circumstantial — an attacking shot on a difficult Cuttack wicket in the first match and a quality delivery from Lungi Ngidi in the second.

The assistant coach emphasised Gill’s proven ability, citing his outstanding IPL consistency, and rejected the notion that short-term failures reflect long-term form issues. He added that both Gill and Suryakumar deserve strong backing because of their “quality and leadership,” expressing full confidence in their timely comeback.

Ten Doeschate also highlighted how leadership responsibilities had previously burdened Gill, making him overly cautious. Recent discussions within the team have focused on helping him play with freedom, similar to his IPL approach.

On Suryakumar, he acknowledged the batter’s inconsistent run — 431 runs in 26 innings since the 2024 T20 World Cup — but praised his captaincy and reaffirmed that India wants him to “go out and attack” at No. 3, rather than play conservatively.

Since returning in 2025, Gill has scored 263 runs in 14 innings without a fifty. However, the coaching staff remains confident that both players will peak before the World Cup, especially with eight matches still remaining in the build-up.

After the loss in Mullanpur, the five-match T20I series stands at 1–1, and India will seek a strong comeback in the third match in Dharamsala on December 14. As India prepares to defend its World Cup title on home soil, Gill and Suryakumar’s return to form remains one of the team’s biggest priorities — but not yet a concern internally.