IND vs SA: "Why Are We Calling Virat Kohli The King?" - Kris Srikkanth Lashes Out At Shubman Gill
Published - 02 Jan 2024, 06:21 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:24 AM
Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth feels that Shubman Gill needs to consistently perform well overseas to meet expectations. Kris Srikkanth urged Shubman Gill to aspire to achieve a stature akin to Virat Kohli’s through consistent and impactful performances.
Shubman Gill managed scores of 2 and 28 in India’s opening Test batter against South Africa, where his team faced an innings and 32-run defeat at Centurion. Notably, the young batter has failed to surpass 30 in any of his five innings in Tests since the West Indies series.
The 24-year-old has scored 994 runs in 19 Test matches at a dismal average of 31.06, including two centuries and four fifties. Gill has managed only 83 runs in his last five innings. His last notable performance (128) occurred in the fourth Test against Australia in March.
Shubman Gill Has To Perform Well – Kris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth emphasized the need for Shubman Gill to excel in international cricket, especially by scoring runs in overseas conditions. Srikkanth drew a parallel with Virat Kohli, highlighting his remarkable records across all formats.
“Shubman Gill has to perform well across the world. Scoring runs in the sub-continent alone doesn’t help. He has to score runs overseas. Why are we calling Virat Kohli the King? Look at his record, even in the last year, be it Test matches, ODI, or T20Is. Just look at his records. I have nothing more to say. Yes, I accept you can’t produce a Virat Kohli every time. Everybody can’t produce Virat Kohli (Kohli-like numbers). But you have to try and get to at least a bit of that stature,” Srikkanth said in a YouTube show.
Gill emerged as the leading run-scorer in international cricket in 2023, amassing over 2000 runs. Gill showcased his batting prowess during the ODI World Cup, scoring 354 runs, including four fifties. He notched a T20I century in Ahmedabad, but just on fifty in 13 innings.
I Wouldn’t Overrate Shubman Gill – Kris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth commented on the hype surrounding Shubman Gill, cautioning against overrating or underestimating the young talent. Srikkanth also praised Rishabh Pant, highlighting his exceptional class, even though he is currently unavailable for selection.
“I think the hype around Shubman Gill, quite a few are saying ‘he is the next this, next that’. I think we will have to wait and see. I wouldn’t overrate him, I wouldn’t want to underestimate him.”
KL Rahul is someone who has been underperforming. With the class that he has, he can become at least 60 to 70 percent of what Virat Kohli has become. That’s my rating. Rishabh Pant is another class player. He is on another level. Unfortunately, we don’t have him for selection now,” Srikkanth added
India aims for Shubman Gill to regain form at the No. 3 position, considering the team’s vital Test commitments in a busy upcoming year. India hopes to avoid a clean sweep when faces South Africa in the New Year’s Test match in Cape Town from January 3 to 7.
