IND vs WI: 'Won't Get Conditions Like Ahmedabad Everywhere' - Wasim Jaffer's Strong Message To 'Defensive' Shubman Gill

Published - 12 Aug 2023, 12:55 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:16 AM

Shubman Gill, Wasim Jaffer
Shubman Gill, Wasim Jaffer [PC: Twitter]

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Wasim Jaffer has sent a strong message to the star batter Shubman Gill, saying that he will not get the conditions like the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad everywhere and that he needs to adapt better to different kinds of surfaces.

Shubman Gill, who was in sensational form at the start of the year, has had an awful run on the West Indies tour. He has registered scores of 6(10), 10(11), 29*(37), 7(16), 34(49), 85(92), 3(9), 7(9) and 6(11).

Gill has also faced heavy criticism for not performing well in T20s away from his IPL home ground. The right-handed opening batsman has scored 698 runs in the 10 innings in Ahmedabad at an average of 87.25 and a strike rate of 177.15, but as he moves out of the venue his average and strike rate drop down to 27.33 and 127.72.

Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Jaffer said that it’s important for Gill to get used to different kinds of pitches. He elaborated:

“These West Indies surfaces are like that, you have to wait for it and can’t just keep hitting on the rise which Shubman likes. But one thing he needs to understand is he is not going to get conditions like Ahmedabad everywhere. So the better he gets used to the other surfaces and adapts to the surfaces it’s going to do him wonders.

“Shubman is not somebody who goes from ball one. He is not that kind of a player so he takes his time at the start. He has a habit of reaching towards the ball when the ball is not coming on.”

I feel Shubman Gill is being a bit too defensive – Wasim Jaffer

Speaking on the same platform, Wasim Jaffer criticized Gill for being overly defensive. He also spoke about the importance of openers providing their side with good starts in T20 cricket. He elaborated:

“We have spoken about how important it is for the openers to get off to a good start in the powerplay and give players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma a good platform.

“But they won’t be worried about it as they will know they need to show intent straightaway. Jaiswal will bat with aggressive intent and I feel Shubman Gill is being a bit too defensive. If he gets 2-3 good shots straightaway then that could make a huge difference.”

The fourth T20I between Hardik Pandya-led India National Cricket Team and Rovman Powell-led West Indies National Cricket Team will be played at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill on August 12.

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