Suryakumar Yadav Hits Back at Critics, Says “Gill And Abhishek are Fire and Fire”

Shubman Gill silenced strike-rate critics with a blistering 29 not out off 16 balls in the rain-abandoned fifth T20I against Australia on Sunday, striking at 181.25 with six boundaries to power India to 57 for 1 in 4.4 overs alongside Abhishek Sharma (24 off 13). The explosive start came just 48 hours after Gill’s 46 off 39 (SR 117.95) in the fourth T20I at Queensland drew flak for being too slow on a tricky surface. Captain Suryakumar Yadav defended the vice-captain, praising the opening pair’s adaptability and dubbing them “fire and fire” rather than the conventional fire-and-ice combination.

Speaking at the post-match press conference with Abhishek, Suryakumar said the duo constantly push each other to match strike rates. “They both are looking to match each other’s strike rates. It’s a combination of fire and fire,” he laughed, with Abhishek adding, “That is what I am saying. It’s not fire and ice. It’s fire and fire.” Suryakumar highlighted how Gill and Abhishek read conditions perfectly—building patiently in the fourth game before exploding when the Brisbane wicket offered better pace and bounce.

The series ended 2-1 after persistent rain washed out the decider, but Gill’s late flourish capped a strong comeback tour. In five innings, he scored 139 runs at an average of 46.33 and a strike rate of 151.08, including three 30-plus scores. His partnership with Abhishek produced 154 runs across four completed innings at a blistering average of 77 and a run rate of 12.44, vindicating India’s decision to reinstall Gill as T20I opener after a 14-month absence.

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With the Asia Cup looming early next year, Gill’s ability to switch gears—anchoring when required and attacking when set—has solidified his place alongside Abhishek as India’s preferred T20I opening pair. Suryakumar stressed that experience at the international level is helping both youngsters complement each other, ensuring India’s top order remains a potent threat across conditions ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

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