Why Gill over Axar Patel? Captain Suryakumar Yadav explains

MUMBAI: The BCCI included Indian Test captain Shubman Gill in the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup starting from September 9. Gill last played for India in the Twenty20 format in July last year. Now, Gill will be the vice-captain for the match being held in the UAE. The team management is aiming to make Gill the vice-captain of the T20 team as a prelude to implementing the policy of having one captain in all three formats.

Before Gill, Axar Patel was the vice-captain in the Twenty20 format. Suryakumar Yadav indicated India's potential to introduce Gill as a star in all formats after his brilliant performance in the Test series against England.

However, discontent is also brewing within the camp over Gill’s appointment as vice-captain. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed the reason for appointing Gill as vice-captain instead of Axar.

"Not when we went to Zimbabwe after the T20 World Cup, but to Sri Lanka, where Gill last played for India as vice-captain in the T20 I led. From that time on, we started a new change ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Later, he was busy with the Test series. So, while playing in the Champions Trophy and Test cricket, Gill did not get a chance to play in the T20S. Now that he is in the team, it is a joy for everyone," Suryakumar said.

The eight-team Asia Cup T20 tournament will be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 9 to 28. Defending champions India are in Group A, along with Pakistan, Oman and the UAE.