IND vs SA: Sunil Gavaskar, Aakash Chopra Critical Of Shubman Gill’s Form In Test Cricket

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar opened up about Shubman Gill’s struggle in Test cricket. He said that the batter is playing aggressively in the longest format of the game and he needs to understand the difference between red and white balls.

Shubman Gill’s poor form in the Test cricket of late in the Test cricket has been one of the biggest concerns for India. Despite him setting the stage on fire in the white-ball cricket, the batter hasn’t yet clicked the purest form for the game.

When Shubman Gill made his debut in Tests, he was touted as the future even in the longest format of the game. The batter played magnificently in the Australian conditions and scored 91 runs in India’s famous win in Gabba.

But since that knock, Shubman Gill hasn’t quite set the stage on fire in Test cricket. In the 19 Tests so far that he has played, the young batter has amassed just 994 runs at an average of a mere 31, which is well below par for a player of his caliber.

Shubman Gill in 2023 been extremely poor in Tests. The batter has scored just 258 runs at an average of 28 in the 6 games. His torrid run continued even in the ongoing Test series in South Africa as he failed in both innings of the first Test match in Centurion.

Shubham Gill scored 2 runs in the first innings and then managed just 26 runs in the second innings. It has been the incoming delivery that has troubled him and for his poor failures, he has received a lot of criticism.

Sunil Gavaskar believes that Shubman Gill needs to understand the dynamics of the red ball. He hoped batter to return to form and get back to his best. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:

“think he is playing a bit too aggressively in Test cricket. There is a slight difference when you play Test cricket vs 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 off the pitch as well. It bounces a little more too.

“He should keep in that in mind. Shubman Gill started off his career so well and we praised his shots. We can only hope that he gets back into his form. Hope he trains harder and does well in the future,”

IND vs SA: There’s a slight technical deficiency in his batting – Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill’s poor run in Test cricket

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra recently also talked about Shubman Gill’s poor run in Test cricket. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes that the young batter wants to bat at No.4 in this format.

He added that Shubman Gill also has technical issues. He pointed out that the batter likes to play with his hands rather than feet, which is why he is struggling in overseas conditions. He had said:

“Gill was impressive in the series against Australia when India toured, and looked like a player for the future. He’s batted well in ODIs which is his favourite format and done modestly in T20s. But in Tests, against England, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies, I don’t think he has performed well. So, there is a question mark. He started off as an opener.

“Then he batted at No 3. Eventually he wants to bat at No. 4 is what I feel. But he needs to start scoring runs. There’s a slight technical deficiency in his batting, too. He’s a player who likes to play mostly with his hands and does not rely mainly on his feet. So, this approach may suit flat pitches and white ball cricket. But that does not work in Test cricket.”

Shubman Gill will be next seen in action when India take on South Africa in the second game from 3rd January in Cape Town. He would be hoping to silence all the critics in the next game.