Shubman Gill hasn't scored a fifty since his appointment as India's T20I vice-captain.
Ashwin believes that left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal has done everything that has been asked of him, and hence, he deserves a chance in the playing XI.
Gill's inclusion and subsequent performances have been questioned ever since he rejoined the T20I squad as vice-captain in the Asia Cup. Since his return, he has yet to reach fifty.
In the just-finished five-match series against Australia, he was the second-highest run scorer, but many were taken aback by his 46-run knock off 39 balls in the fourth T20I. In the fifth and final match, the 26-year-old made some course corrections, but Brisbane's rain ultimately forced the match's cancellation.
Ashwin thinks that a successful Test series against South Africa won't help Jaiswal because the formats are different, but he still thinks the left-hander should be given a shot because he can create a great partnership with Abhishek Sharma.
“I don't think there is any connection between Tests and T20Is. One should keep these formats separate. It is essential to recognize that Jaiswal has done everything necessary. He cannot come into the T20I side by scoring more Test runs. He has done enough. He is striking close to 160, which is higher than that in the power play. He is averaging quite well, too,” said Ashwin on his channel ‘Ash Ki Baat.’
He further stated that the combination of Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal is India’s most aggressive openers at the moment in T20Is.
“Abhishek Sharma and Jaiswal are the most aggressive openers at this point in India. If you want to send two aggressive openers, then these two are your guys. I think that if they want a bit of fire and ice, this is what the Indian team is balancing. Abhishek is fire, and ice can be found in Shubman,” he added.
Ashwin also thinks that Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is in charge of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), can provide Shubman with some competition if the management wants to have a "fire and ice" combo.
“If you want that sort of combination, then Shubman’s equal competitor is Ruturaj Gaikwad,” said Ashwin.
Ashwin also predicted that the Indian team management might make some experiments in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa and New Zealand. He also predicted a “big change” for the tournament.
“I think in the T20I series, as we grow closer to the World Cup, we will see different opening combinations. I have a feeling that we will have a small change. Not a small change, a big one, but I think the others will get opportunities,” said Ashwin.
India’s dominance in T20Is continued as they defeated Australia 2-1 in a recent series under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy.