IND vs PAK: "Didn't Look As If He Was Playing His Natural Game" - Sunil Gavaskar Criticises Shubman Gill

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar analyzed India’s top-order batters’ failure against arch-rivals Pakistan in the third match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Sunil Gavaskar highlighted that Shubman Gill struggled to score runs against Pakistan’s pace bowlers in the game.

The Men in Blue lost four wickets for just 66 runs after choosing to bat first at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, September 2. Shaheen Afridi dismissed veteran batters Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (4) for low scores in the highly anticipated game.

Haris Rauf dismissed Shreyas Iyer, who returned to the team, with a bouncer. Iyer played the shot straight into the hands of Fakhar Zaman. Shubman Gill began with a defensive approach, taking 10 balls to open his account, and was bowled through the gate by Rauf.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Shubman Gill Looked Very Subdued – Sunil Gavaskar

In an interview with India Today, Sunil Gavaskar mentioned that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could have used their feet better. He also noted that Shubman Gill appeared subdued and uncertain, leading to a slow start in the match.

“Both the batters (Rohit and Virat) could’ve used their feet a bit better. Rohit Sharma had a big gap between his bat and pad. Shreyas Iyer was a bit unlucky. That was a cracking hook shot but it went straight to the fielder. If the fielder could’ve been 5 meters left or right, it would’ve been a boundary.

Shubman Gill, for some strange reason, looked very subdued. Didn’t look as if he was playing his natural game, seemed to be in some uncertainty around him. That’s why he didn’t open his account for a long time and hardly looked the Shubman Gill that we know,” Gavaskar said on India Today.

Ishan Kishan Brings A Left-Handed Dimension – Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar lauded Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya for handling the pressure and rescuing India from a difficult situation. He also emphasized Ishan’s versatility as an opening batter who can bat anywhere in the order, providing a left-handed dimension to India’s batting lineup.

“Yes, I think what he showed was that an opening batter can bat anywhere down the order. It’s not easy the other way around, where a middle-order batter can come in and open the batting,” he further added.

“It’s not easy, but an opening batter can be accommodated anywhere down the order, and he brings a left-handed dimension to the Indian batting line. If you could look at the top four, they’re all right and then the left-hander comes in, so it makes it a little bit difficult for the bowlers.”

“Plus, he’s got this great ability to accelerate. He looks very, very small, but he packs a punch. He hit a couple of big sixes and the way he batted really was impressive because generally, he likes to get after the bowling. But he was watchful when it was needed, recognized, realised what the situation was.”

Also read: IND vs PAK: Watch – Haris Rauf Dismantles Shubman Gill’s Stumps With A Fiery Delivery