'Favouritism needs to end’: Fans go berserk after Shubman Gill’s golden duck against SA as calls grow for Sanju Samson

After being dismissed for a golden duck in the second Twenty20 International of the five-match series against South Africa on Thursday, December 11, Shubman Gill's challenging run in T20 Internationals took a further hit.

At Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, Gill and opening partner Abhishek Sharma were greeted with deafening applause as they chased a steep 214-run target. However, the shouts soon subsided as Gill fell in the first over.

Gill was dismissed by a superb delivery from Lungi Ngidi. The Indian vice-captain in the shortest format, Gill was forced to push tentatively from the crease as the South African pacer hit a precise length outside off and retrieved just enough away movement. The ensuing edge off Gill's bat flew directly to Reeza Hendricks at first slip.

This year, Gill's figures in the format present a concerning image. The 24-year-old has scored just 263 runs at an average of 23.90 at a strike rate of 142.93 since returning to the T20I setup, failing to achieve a single half century in 14 innings.