IND vs WI: Below Average! Zaheer Khan Rates Shubman Gill’s Batting Against West Indies
Published - 26 Jul 2023, 06:11 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:16 AM
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan gave a below-average rating to Shubman Gill for his batting performance in IND vs WI Test series. Zaheer Khan feels that Shubman Gill gave a below-average batting performance in the series.
In the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara and the addition of Yashavi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill took the no.3 spot in batting during India vs West Indies Test series. However, the right-handed batsman managed to score just 45 runs in 3 innings across 2 Tests, averaging 22.50.
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I Have Given Shubman Gill 4 out Of 10- Zaheer Khan
While speaking on Jio Cinema, Zaheer Khan rated Shubman Gill’s batting during India vs West Indies Test series. The former left-arm pacer gave just a 4 out of 10 rating to Gill, terming his performance as below average.
“I have given 4 out of 10. Just keeping that 5 as an average benchmark. And then you have below average series and then you have above average series.
As you try to gauge from outside, you get the feeling that when you ask someone like Pujara not to be picked in the side, then you are looking ahead. That’s a clear cut indication of that”, Khan said.
Also Read: IND vs WI: Not Shubman Gill!! Saba Karim Backs This Player To Captain Team India In Tests
However, the cricketer-turned-commentator also opened up about reasons for Gill’s failure with the bat. Zaheer Khan said that due to a big opening stand, the ball became softer- something that the Indian opener is not used to.
“With Shubman Gill, the fact that there was a huge opening stand, has also not helped. Because as an opener you have a pattern of opening an innings. As an opener, you look to take your time. The ball is nice and hard. There will be extra bounce. There will be a timing, tempo.
When you have a big opening stand, the ball is softer. That’s what is happening, He needs that time. He needs to reset his mindset on batting at no.3,” the 44-year-old further said.
Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the innings for India with Rohit Sharma in both IND vs WI Tests. The left-handed batsman also hit a marvelous knock of 171 runs on his debut.
Gill got out for single digit in the 1st Test in Dominica, losing his wicket for just 6 runs. In the 2nd Test, he again got out for a low score of 10 runs in the 1st innings.
The Gujarat Titans opener showed some depth in the 2nd innings, scoring unbeaten 29 runs. However, since the Indian team declared the innings soon, Gill did not get time to convert his start into a big knock.
