Batting great Sunil Gavaskar spoke about Shubman Gill’s struggle in Test cricket. He said that the batsman is playing aggressively in the longer format of the game and that he needs to understand the difference between red and white balls.
Shubman Gill’s poor form in Test cricket of late has been one of the biggest concerns for India. Despite having set the scene on fire in white-ball cricket, the batsman is yet to find the purest form for the game.
When Shubman Gill made his Test debut, he was touted as the future even in the longest format of the game. The batsman played magnificently in the Australian conditions and scored 91 runs in India’s famous victory at the Gabba.
But since that knock, Shubman Gill has not set the stage on fire in Test cricket. In the 19 Tests he has played so far, the young batsman has amassed just 994 runs at an average of just 31, which is well below average for a player of his caliber.
Shubman Gill in 2023 was extremely poor in testing. The batsman has scored just 258 runs at an average of 28 in the 6 games. His torrid career continued even in the ongoing test series in South Africa as he failed in both innings of the first Test match at Centurion.
Shubham Gill scored 2 runs in the first innings and then managed only 26 runs in the second innings. It has been the incoming delivery that has worried him and due to its poor failures he has received a lot of criticism.
Sunil Gavaskar believes Shubman Gill needs to understand the dynamics of the red ball. He expected the batsman to return to form and to his best. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:
“I think he is playing too aggressively in Test cricket. There is a slight difference when you play Test cricket versus T201 and ODI cricket. The difference is in the ball. The red ball moves a little more than the white ball in the air and also off the field. It also bounces a little more.
“You should keep that in mind. Shubman Gill started his career very well and we praised his shooting. We can only hope that he returns to his form. I hope he trains harder and does well in the future.”
IND vs SA: There is a slight technical deficiency in their batting: Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill’s poor run in Test cricket
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra also recently spoke about Shubman Gill’s poor run in Test cricket. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes that the young batsman wants to bat at No. 4 in this format.
He added that Shubman Gill also has technical problems. He pointed out that the batsman likes to play with his hands more than his feet, which is why he has difficulty in the outdoor conditions. He said:
“Gill was impressive in the series against Australia during the tour of India and looked like a player for the future. He has batted well in ODIs, which is his favorite format, and has done so modestly in T20. But in Tests, against England, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies, I don’t think he has performed well. So, there is a question mark. He started as a starter.
“Then he batted at No. 3. In the end, what I feel is that he wants to bat at No. 4. But he needs to start scoring runs. There is also a slight technical deficiency in his batting. He is a player who likes to play mainly with his hands and does not rely primarily on his feet. Therefore, this approach may be suitable for flat pitches and for white ball cricket. But that doesn’t work in Test cricket.”
Shubman Gill will next be seen in action when India takes on South Africa in the second match starting January 3 in Cape Town. He would hope to silence all critics in the next match.
