Abhishek makes T20 World Cup guarantee on India batting duo

India opener and No.1 ranked T20I batter Abhishek Sharma has no doubt Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill will become match-winners for the side during the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

The experienced pair have struggled for runs at T20I level in recent times, with Gill's innings of 28 in India's convincing seven-wicket victory over South Africa in Dharamsala on Sunday the best contribution from either player across the first three matches of the five-game series with the Proteas.

But Abhishek has no concerns around the lack of form for Suryakumar and Gill less than two months out from the start of the next edition of the T20 World Cup on February 7, with the hard-hitting left-hander declaring the pair will almost certainly be among the runs when it matters most at the 20-over showcase that India will co-host with Sri Lanka.

"I tell you one thing straight away that trust me, these two guys are going to win matches at the (T20) World Cup and before in (other) series as well," Abhishek said after his innings of 35 helped India claim a 2-1 series lead over South Africa.

"I have been playing with them for so long, especially with Shubman, so I know where he can win the match, what are the conditions and irrespective of the team.

"I have a lot of faith in him from the beginning and I hope everyone will see it very soon and everyone will have faith."

Suryakumar was out for just 12 when holing out to Ottniel Baartman in the deep with India's victory target of 118 in sight on Sunday, with the experienced skipper missing a golden chance to guide the side home with an unbeaten innings.

The India captain was quizzed on his lack of recent runs during the post-match presentations at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium and emphatically declared he was not out of form, but purely out of runs.

"The thing is, I've been batting beautifully in the nets," Suryakumar said.

"I'm trying everything that's in my control. When the runs have to come, they'll definitely come. But yes, I'm looking for runs, not out of form, but definitely out of runs."

The series now heads to Lucknow for the fourth game of the series on Wednesday.

Series schedule:

First T20I: December 9, Cuttack (India won by 101 runs)
Second T20I: December 11, Chandigarh (South Africa won by 51 runs)
Third T20I: December 14, Dharamsala (India won by seven wickets)
Fourth T20I: December 17, Lucknow
Fifth T20I: December 19, Ahmedabad