Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar criticized Shubman Gill for his poor shot selection during the first innings of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 against Australia. Sunil Gavaskar advised Shubman Gill not to make a big drive away from his body so early in his innings.
The right-handed batsman was dismissed for just 1 run in the first innings at the Gabba in Brisbane on Monday, December 16. Gill attempted an ambitious drive against Mitchell Starc, but he beat it. Mitchell Marsh, who was stationed at the gully, made a spectacular catch to get rid of Gill, leaving team India at 6/2.
Certain shots are dangerous at the beginning of your innings – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar was not impressed that Shubman Gill attempted such a risky shot just minutes after reaching the box. Gavaskar stated that players should leave their “image” in the locker room and save aggressive shots for later in the innings when they are ready.
“Leave your image in the dressing room. Certain shots are dangerous at the beginning of your innings before you are ready, and you don’t have the gauge of what the wicket is doing,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
“Keep all those shots in your back pocket. Take them out when you’re not 30-40-50 out, then you can shoot them again,” he added.
Shubman Gill could have left that ball alone – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar went on to say that Shubman Gill’s shot was a bad decision. Gavaskar pointed out that Gill could have left the ball, which would have gone to the keeper while praising Mitchell Marsh for his excellent catch.
“Not very good shot selection, you could say. It was a very good catch, so there was also a bit of bad luck. But he could have left that ball alone; It would have been harmless to the goalkeeper. Gill is now back on the bench,” Gavaskar said.
Australia are in a commanding position in the third Test against India.
Australia are in a commanding position in the third Test against India at the Gabba. Australia posted a formidable total of 445 in their first innings, with centuries from Steve Smith (101), Travis Head (152) and 70 from Alex Carey. In response, India struggled against Australia’s pace attack in the match.
Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul was the only Indian batsman to show any resistance. With rain expected over the next two days, India will depend on KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma to save the Test match.
Virat Kohli seemed to have regained his form with a century in the second innings of the first Test in Perth. However, he recorded scores of 7, 11 and 3 in his next three innings in Adelaide and Brisbane.
Also Read: Yashasvi Jaiswal criticized by Michael Vaughan for failing Brisbane Test: ‘I’m just trying to take out Mitchell Starc’