In the second T20I between India and Australia at Melbourne, Shubman Gill endured a dramatic and unfortunate start to his innings, facing three major incidents within just 10 balls. From a close LBW appeal to a nasty blow on the helmet and then an early dismissal, nothing went right for the young Indian opener on a challenging pitch against Josh Hazlewood’s fiery spell.

On the very first ball he faced, the Australians made a loud appeal for LBW, but Gill narrowly survived after the umpire turned it down. However, danger struck again just two deliveries later when Hazlewood’s sharp delivery hit Gill directly on the front of his helmet. Thankfully, his helmet absorbed the impact, but according to modern cricket protocols, the team physio immediately came onto the field to check for any signs of concussion or discomfort in his vision and head movement. Gill appeared fine after the brief examination and decided to continue his innings.

Unfortunately, his stay at the crease did not last long. In the third over of India’s innings, Hazlewood once again got the better of him, dismissing Gill for just 5 runs off 10 balls. What began as a shaky start ended quickly, as India’s top order collapsed under pressure.

This dismissal also extended an unwanted streak for Shubman Gill — it was the 12th consecutive time he failed to register a fifty in white-ball cricket. Once seen as a consistent performer at the top, Gill’s recent form has been under scrutiny, and this latest dismissal will likely add to the pressure as India continues the T20 series against Australia.