Gill’s recent form is compelling, but he hasn’t played a T20I for a year, and in his absence other contenders have emerged and succeeded as openers

Shashank Kishore13-Aug-2025

In Shubman Gill’s absence, Axar Patel was given the T20I vice-captaincy•AFP/Getty Images

There’s no question about Shubman Gill’s place in the Indian team in two out of three international formats. He broke records as a batter while leading India to a 2-2 draw in England in his debut series as Test captain, and played important roles in India’s run to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and their triumph in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Gill could even be the next ODI captain, whenever Rohit Sharma quits that format too.But India’s next assignment is the Asia Cup in September, to be played in the T20I format as preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the question arises: does Gill fit into India’s plans for the shortest format?His most recent T20 form is compelling – 650 runs at a strike rate of nearly 156 in IPL 2025. He’s going to be a cornerstone of Indian cricket for the next decade. Both are reasons in his favour, but the selection question is more complex.Related

• Asia Cup 2025 in UAE starting September 9; India vs Pakistan on September 14

• Gill shows he is ready for the grind of India's Test captaincy

It has been a while since India picked a full-strength T20I squad; the last time they did so was for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which they won in the USA and West Indies. Gill was a travelling reserve for that tournament, outside the main 15. Since then, India’s T20I selections have been influenced by scheduling and injuries.Gill was captain of a second-string team for the T20I series in Zimbabwe immediately after the World Cup last year. He was vice-captain of a near full-strength squad for the T20I series in Sri Lanka later in July that year. As Test cricket took precedence, however, Gill was not picked for India’s home T20Is against Bangladesh in October, the T20Is in South Africa in November, and the home T20Is against England in January this year, which were scheduled soon after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and shortly before the Champions Trophy. In his absence, Axar Patel was elevated to the T20I vice-captaincy.The scheduling crunch is ever-present. For example, the Asia Cup final is on September 28, and India’s home Test series against West Indies starts on October 2. This time, however, the selectors have to zero in on the best T20I combination for the Asia Cup with the larger goal of defending their World Cup title next year. They begin from a position of immense strength: since winning the World Cup, India have won 17 out of 20 bilateral T20Is.In Gill’s absence from the T20I side since August 2024, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have become the incumbent openers. Abhishek, the top-ranked batter in the format, scored 279 runs at a strike rate of nearly 220 in India’s most recent T20I series, against England in January. While Samson had low scores in those five matches, he had hit three hundreds in five preceding T20Is.Yashasvi Jaiswal is one of the frontrunners to open the batting•AFP/Getty ImagesThe selectors could weigh up whether they want to continue with two ultra-explosive openers in Abhishek and Samson, in keeping with India’s brand of T20I cricket, or go for a more consistent yet aggressive option.Like Yashasvi Jaiswal? Jaiswal, like Gill, has not played a T20I since July 2024 due to India prioritising his Test performances in a packed calendar. However, in India’s previous full-strength squad, Jaiswal was picked as the back-up opener ahead of Gill for the 2024 T20 World Cup. He ended up being a back-up only because India made the relatively late decision to open with Rohit and Virat Kohli, whose retirements since then have put Jaiswal back as one of the frontrunners to open. At the time, Gill was coming off a not-so-hot performance in IPL 2024, and there isn’t a massive difference between his and Jaiswal’s numbers in IPL 2025 either.If the team management doesn’t want to break Samson and Abhishek up at the top, it’s hard to see how Gill – or Jaiswal – can feature in India’s first-choice T20I XI. And if the selectors want to keep the Asia Cup squad size to 15 – they will have to do that for the World Cup – it’s hard to see how they can pick all four of Abhishek, Samson, Gill and Jaiswal, given the need for back-ups for other types of players in the squad. Samson, though, has the advantage of doubling up as a wicketkeeper too.It could boil down to a choice between Jaiswal or Gill in the squad – who the selectors feel will have the stronger impact during India’s T20 title defence.

Spinners demolish SA for their third-lowest total in ODIs before openers secure ten-wicket win

Firdose Moonda03-Oct-2025

Linsey Smith picked up 3 for 7•ICC/Getty Images

If anyone thought England were not serious contenders for this World Cup, think again. They stormed to the top of the points table with a massive victory over a hapless South Africa, who were dismissed for their lowest score against England, second-lowest at a World Cup and third-lowest score overall.England had to chase just 70 and did in 14.1 overs. The whole match lasted 34.5 overs, not even the duration of a full T20. After one game, England’s net run rate sits at 3.773 – more than double that of Australia, who are next best – and puts them in pole position in the early standings.South Africa’s total belied conditions which neither seamed nor spun substantially as they disintegrated against a smart England attack. They appeared surprised by the early use of spin in the form of Linsey Smith and lost their three biggest batters to her. Smith, playing in her first ODI World Cup game and opening the bowling, became the only bowler to dismiss all three of Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp in the same innings.At the other end, Lauren Bell and Nat Sciver-Brunt bowled good lengths to pluck another three wickets in the first 10.1 overs. At 38 for 6 just out of the powerplay, all South Africa could hope for was to crawl to respectability and they didn’t get there. They were bowled out in 20.4 overs and only Sinalo Jafta, promoted to No. 6, got into double-figures.The rest of the batters will need to look at their movement at the crease, which was all but absent, and their shot selection. There will be questions asked over their selection. Annerie Dercksen, who scored her maiden ODI ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year, was left out as South Africa opted for all their allrounders.South Africa could not have imagined how quickly things would fall apart after Wolvaardt got proceedings underway with a square drive and Brits carved Bell through point in an opening over that cost nine runs. Smith struck second ball when Wolvaardt played across the line and popped up a leading edge to give a simple return catch. The first ball of Smith’s next over drifted in to Brits from around the wicket and snuck through the bat-pad gap to bowl her.With both openers’ dismissed, Sune Luus at No. 3 had a big job on her hands but fell to a Bell inswinger that curled in to take out off stump. Three balls later, Kapp was also done by drift as Smith got the ball to squeeze past her inside edge and on to middle stump. All of Wolvaardt, Brits, Luus and Kapp will need to work on their footwork going forward.In the mess, there were some shots that suggested South Africa still knew how to bat. Jafta drove Bell through cover point for her first boundary and Anneke Bosch nailed a cover drive – but the moments where they were on top of the England bowlers were few and very far between.Jafta should have been out on 8 when she advanced down the track in an attempt to drive Smith and missed. Amy Jones could not collect quickly enough and fluffed the stumping. That was the only blip in an otherwise flawless England performance.Sciver-Brunt brought herself on in the eighth over and had success with her first ball, Bosch walking across her stumps to be hit on the knee roll in front of middle and leg. She didn’t review what was a correct lbw decision. Sciver-Brunt also struck with the first ball of her next over. Chloe Tryon tried to flick her into the leg side but got a leading edge and was caught by Alice Capsey at mid-on.Jafta entered double figures when she guided Sophie Ecclestone to third but she didn’t have any support. Nadine de Klerk edged Ecclestone to Heather Knight at slip and Masabata Klaas played for turn against a Charlie Dean ball that held its line and was bowled. Jafta herself fell when she tried to hit Ecclestone back over her head but missed and was bowled. Dean finished things off when she beat Nonkululekho Mlaba’s slog.England’s chase was all but academic despite the best efforts of Kapp, who found her rhythm with back-of-a-length balls that beat the batters consistently. South Africa reviewed an lbw shout against Tammy Beaumont, which nipped back in but still hit her outside the line. Beaumont and Jones were patient against a disciplined South African attack and chose not to rush the result. They were 39 without loss in the powerplay but put the foot down straight after.Jones threaded Mlaba through point as soon as the fielding restrictions were lifted and then sent her back over her head and swung Klaas over mid-on in a reminder that there’s not only one “Storm Amy” in England today. She was dropped by Klaas in her follow through later in the over and then took back-to-back boundaries off the usually miserly Ayabonga Khaka to put England one hit away. They finished things off with a boundary from Beaumont.South Africa have suffered similarly at the hands of England before in a World Cup in India, but in the pre-professional era. They were bowled out for 77 in Cuttack in 2013. Charlotte Edwards, the current England coach, was opening the batting for England then, while Kapp and Tryon played for South Africa.

The final international break of the year has finally come to an end, and Chelsea are back in Premier League action.

Enzo Maresca’s side resume their campaign with a trip to newly promoted Burnley, in what could be something of a banana skin fixture.

What will make things even more difficult for the West Londoners is their ever-growing injury list, which has decimated their backline.

However, arguably more concerning than that, Cole Palmer has picked up another knock, although there is someone in the squad who could stand in for him, and no, it’s not Estevao.

The latest on Cole Palmer

After an impressive Club World Cup campaign and strong pre-season performances, it felt like Palmer was set for another exceptional year in West London.

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However, after playing the first game against Crystal Palace, he missed the next two due to a groin problem, and while he returned for the following couple of matches, he was again forced off against Manchester United with another groin problem.

The Englishman hasn’t featured for the side since then, although it did look like he would be back in the squad after the international break.

However, it would appear Maresca and Co can’t catch a break this season, as reports yesterday morning revealed that the former Manchester City prospect had broken his toe in an accident at home.

In his press conference a few hours later, the manager confirmed the injury and said his star player “is not available for this week and next week.”

That means that, on top of today’s game, the 23-year-old is definitely going to miss the Champions League clash with Barcelona and the London derby with Arsenal.

It’s undoubtedly a massive blow for Chelsea, but the silver lining is that, alongside Estevao, they have another young talent who could step in for Palmer.

Chelsea's Palmer replacement

While Estevao should start on the right for the upcoming games, Maresca could get some of what Palmer would provide in the ten by starting Facundo Buonanotte there.

Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, nobody is arguing that the Argentine is as good a player as the Englishman; that would be absurd.

However, he is a highly talented young player who, based on his performances last season and what those in the know say about him, could replicate the 23-year-old’s capabilities.

For example, despite playing for a truly poor Leicester City side last season and being just 19 at the start of it, he was able to put in some impressive performances.

In 35 appearances, totalling 1701 minutes, the attacking midfielder, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed “one of the most exciting South American talents to have moved to Europe in recent years,” scored six goals and provided three assists.

Buonanotte’s 24/25

Competition

Prem

FA Cup

EFL Cup

Appearances

31

2

2

Goals

5

1

0

Assists

2

1

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.22

1.00

0.00

All Stats via Transfermarkt

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.88 games, or every 189 minutes, which is not a bad rate of return considering the circumstances.

Moreover, the promising ace with a “left foot made of gold,” per Jacek Kulig, has also earned comparisons to some Argentine football legends.

For example, Premier League great Carlos Tevez told the press that the youngster “reminds me of Messi” a few years ago.

Finally, away from the numbers and appraisals, when the twice-capped international was in full flow last season, he looked like the sort of mercurial talent who, with the proper coaching and chance, could create game-winning moments for his side.

Ultimately, while he isn’t on the level of Palmer at the moment, Buonanotte is an undeniably talented youngster, and for the next few games, could provide cover for the Englishman.

Related Forget Delap: 18-year-old star is destined to be Chelsea's future number 9

The incredible youngster will be a superstar for England and Chelsea.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 21, 2025

GOAL sat down with the Real Salt Lake star to talk personal growth, awards, and why 2026 might be even better than 2025.

Throughout the last few years, Diego Luna has found ways to endear himself to fans of American soccer. For all of his qualities, though, the most endearing has been his vulnerability. 

There have been plenty of goals. This year, he made more appearances for the U.S. Men's National Team than anyone else. He's emerged as a star for both the Americans and Real Salt Lake. Behind all of it, though, there's a human being, and Luna is better than most at showcasing it. 

It took time, he can admit. He wasn't always this emotionally available and, even now, at a point where he feels more comfortable within his skin than ever, he is challenging himself to be more open. Vulnerability isn't his weakness, in his eyes; it's his superpower, albeit one that he's still learning to use for good. He's used it for plenty of good already. Even now, at just 22, he's making an impact.

That impact was shown to him recently. As he received news that he'd been recognized with the 2025 Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, which recognizes a player driving positive change through soccer, that impact hit him like a truck. Luna was handed message after message from people who were struggling. He then read letters from people who were getting better. Ultimately, he realized those people were just like him. Luna teared up a little bit, but then smiled as he realized what this all meant: that he was starting to make a difference.

"I’m kind of, low-key, kind, an awkward person,” Luna tells GOAL with a laugh. “So to feel those big emotions on camera like that in front of people, it doesn't really capture how it really made me feel. It's something you hide behind, right? Because it's the media and stuff. But when I was in that room, the emotions I felt were very powerful. 

"I felt touched and sad, but in a good way…There was a good feeling of knowing that I was out there and the things that I've done and brought out to the environment, to the world, are helping a lot of people. It made me feel very special, and I really enjoy that feeling."

"Now having the support from the fans and support from even people that weren't fans, just people out in the world that kind of felt the same. It struck the same kind of vibe that they're on, and it's an amazing feeling to speak up about something that I'm being vulnerable about. I'm extremely proud of it, and it’s something that I enjoy speaking about.  Now getting the support from the public and from the world, and now bringing this as more of a serious situation, I think it feels extremely good, and I think this is just the beginning."

Luna’s right: it does feel like the beginning. In 2025, he delivered his biggest season, appearing in 17 USMNT matches while recording four goals and four assists. He earned a place in the Gold Cup Best XI, made his second MLS All-Star team, and stepped into the role of RSL’s centerpiece for the first time. It was a lot for a 22-year-old, but exactly what he wanted.

More is coming, though, and that's what Luna is so excited about. 

"I think 'crazy' would be the word. Or maybe 'rollercoaster'. I think that's the word for this year," he says. "I think with RSL and the national team, there have been ups and downs with my mental health, with what I've been trying to do. I've been improving…I think, for me, this has been another year as a young soccer player where I'm learning about myself and learning about what is needed from me to get the best out of myself."

So how did Luna get the best out of himself this year? It all started with really figuring out how to get to know himself better.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'Spreading the word'

  For as long as Luna has been in the public eye, he has been, unequivocally, himself. His body has tattoos scattered all over it, each filling a different purpose to describe a different moment in his life. He started to get them when he was young, he told GOAL in January. The tattoos were a commitment, both to himself and to the game of soccer. Soccer has taken him further than he could have imagined, and it's allowed him to be a version of himself he never really knew. 

  Before making it big, he was overly shy. He worked part-time at a coffee shop to develop people skills and confidence. The on-field stuff, in many ways, was a facade. Off-field life was different. Now, though, the two versions of Diego are closer to one in the same. In some ways, this award doesn't just recognize that fact, but the work Luna has done to make that pursuit public for all to see.

  "This year, it's been about mental health individually," he says. "Forget putting it out in the public and being vulnerable, forget that. It's about struggling, going from struggling to getting help, feeling better and now, going to publish this big thing that I went through. I'm proud of myself when I sit down and look back at it.

  "It's something where I'm not only bettering myself, but now spreading the word with this platform that I've created."

  It's easy to do that in the high moments, and Luna has plenty of those. Luna doesn't just want to speak about those. Even this year, the best of his professional career, Luna has lows that he feels the need to acknowledge.

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• Getty Images
  

  Down moments in the dark

  The highs are easy to see. The January camp nose break that ultimately led to him becoming a USMNT favorite. The Gold Cup run that saw him score three massive goals en route to the final. Most recently, it was the goal in the USMNT's blowout of Uruguay, one that sent a clear message that Luna can do it against the very best in the international game.

  Sandwiched between all of those big moments, though, were quieter ones, ones that Luna admits were much, much harder than scoring a goal or making a play.

  "There are a lot of downs we can go on about, whether that's how my relationship with my family is going, how my son is doing, how my parents are doing," he says. "Then it's how soccer's going, how the team is doing, stuff like that. I think, for me, there are so many downs, and it's hard to talk about them. I could talk about my ups in five minutes, but my downs? That would take me an hour."

  One example came recently. After helping lead RSL to the MLS Playoffs with nine goals and seven assists, the club's season ended abruptly. A 3-1 loss to the Portland Timbers in the MLS Playoffs' Wild Card round meant the season was over. That, naturally, is emotional. Luna wanted to keep playing, wanted to keep fighting. All it took was 90 minutes for that to be gone.

  Then, though, came the training sessions. With several weeks between that loss and USMNT camp, Luna was on his own. He still showed up, day after day, to RSL's facility, eager to work in silence. The goal against Uruguay was loud. The moments alone in the gym weren't.

  "It's a down when I show up every single day at the RSL facility with a bag of balls to run my butt off for three weeks straight of grinding. No one there; just me in the dark, lights off," he says. "It's three weeks of hard work that no one is noticing, but everyone's thinking 'Diego's done this' or 'Diego's done that'. I show up against Uruguay and put in a performance, but people don't see the hard work that was done before."

  Luna is right. There were a lot of those types of days and, by and large, they paid off. Now, though, there's a new pursuit: more.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Becoming a USMNT star

  Early in the year, Luna announced himself with the USMNT. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino infamously praised the midfielder’s “big balls” for his efforts in January camp, when Luna played through a broken nose and blood running down his face to deliver an assist. It’s easy to see why Pochettino – and many around the USMNT – appreciated his gutsy performances.

  It catapulted Luna into a larger role, and he went on to play more USMNT games in 2025 than anyone else. But toughness alone didn’t make him indispensable. He was involved in more goals than any player in the squad. 

  "Man, each one feels better than the last," he says about getting international caps. "That's the only thing I can say about it. That feeling, I think, is one of the top three best feelings in your life that makes you happiest. Maybe top five."

  To Luna, though, goals aren't just goals. Every time that ball hits the back of the net, it's symbolic. It's an achievement, and not one for himself.

  "It's that type of feeling because it's not just scoring the goal and getting that little excitement," he says. "It means you've scored a goal and you're performing well. It means you're getting your stats up. It means you're building a career. It means all of the work that you're doing throughout the week is working. Scoring a goal isn't just scoring, right? Scoring goals means better contracts, more money, and being able to take care of your family. There's a lot that plays into it. I think, for an attacking player, scoring goals is a feeling that you never get tired of."

  Luna's offseason effectively began on Wednesday, just a few hours after that goal against Uruguay. He's carrying that feeling into this break, though. That feeling is what's pushing him to get more.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Building something even better

  Back in January, he reflected on his 2024 season. From the outside, it looked like a breakthrough: he earned an All-Star nod, won MLS Young Player of the Year and drew praise from fans and media throughout the league. But despite all of that, Luna left 2024 feeling unsatisfied – far less impressed than everyone else was.

  "There's so much more than I can do," he said to GOAL. "I believe that this was average for myself. This is the baseline…I need to be better this year, and there were a lot of moments where I could have been better, and that's what I'm striving for. That's the type of mentality that I have, because it's not good enough.'"

  In the end, Luna was right. There was another level as he took steps further in 2025. Yet, that's no reason for him to celebrate.

  "I think this was a special year and, I'll say it again: I think that next year can be another amazing year for me," he says. "I think I'm going to do better than I did this year. That's the goal for me every year: do it better. I want to improve with stats, with my mental health, with how I'm feeling outside of the field, my physical health, my family, everything. I think that's the way I'm trying to take life."

  Everyone knows what the stakes are next year. A World Cup is on the horizon, and while Luna may not have said it specifically, that looms over all. Improving in 2026 would surely have him involved in that next summer. That is, of course, only one part of Luna's life. There's that other side, too: the human one. For the next few months, as he takes a step back to reflect and recover, he'll focus on that one, too.

  "This is maybe my most exciting offseason yet," he says. "It's definitely my most important offseason. I'm seeing it as my preseason to my preseason. I'm not treating it like an offseason. I'm going to manage it well. I'm going to clear the space from 10 months of soccer, but I'm going to be working my butt off….This is not an offseason for me, but a season where I get to combine having fun with my family with the work ethic and understanding that this year is a huge year that could be an amazing year. That's the mindset."

  That mindset carried him to another level in 2025. Luna grew with the USMNT, opened up even more about who he is and what he’s working through, and embraced being fully himself. Now, 2026 brings a different kind of challenge. Whatever comes, he’ll be ready to face it – and talk about it – every step of the way. That’s simply who he is.