Sanjay Manjrekar wants Shubman Gill to learn from Ollie Pope

Sanjay Manjrekar suggested Shubman Gill to adopt a new batting approach to score runs in Test cricket. Sanjay Manjrekar stated that Shubman Gill could benefit from adopting an approach similar to what Ollie Pope did in England’s second innings in the first Test.

Shubman Gill has been under pressure following a string of poor performances in the red-ball format. The right-handed batter managed to score 23 runs in India’s first innings during the series opener. He was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the second innings.

Gill scored 154 runs in three innings against Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year. Since then, his form has declined, and he has recorded scores of 13, 18, 6, 10, 29*, 2, 26, 36, 10, 23, and 0. He has scored 440 runs in home Tests at an average of 33.15.

Shubman Gill Also Likes To Get Onto The Front Foot – Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted the difference between Ollie Pope’s batting in the first and second innings. Manjrekar suggested that Shubman Gill could benefit from adopting a similar approach, especially considering his inclination towards front-foot play.

“There was one very important difference in the way he (Pope) played in the first as opposed to the second. He still trusted his front foot game, but if you look at the first few balls that he faced, he got onto the front foot, but it was a very purposeful reaction and effort where he was looking for ones and twos; he was looking to score. That’s something Shubman Gill could incorporate into his batting because he also likes to get onto the front foot,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

Ollie Pope scored only one run in the first innings of the Hyderabad Test. However, he made a significant comeback in the second innings, achieving his fifth Test century. He scored 196 runs to help England set a challenging target of 231 runs for India in the final innings.

Ollie Pope Has Played One Of The Finest Hundreds In Recent Times – Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar described Ollie Pope’s century in the first Test as one of the best Test centuries by an overseas batter on Indian soil in recent times. he also mentioned notable performances, including Kevin Pietersen at the Wankhede Stadium and Steve Smith in Pune.

“I’ve seen Kevin Pietersen, as an English batter, get a fantastic hundred at the Wankhede Stadium. I’ve seen Steve Smith get a hundred for Australia in Pune. I think Ollie Pope has played one of the finest innings that we have seen in recent times from a foreign batter on a pitch like this. One of the finest hundreds that you’d see,” Manjrekar added.

The Indian batters struggled against England’s spinners in the first Test run chase. The home team lost their ninth wicket with just 177 runs on the board. Debutant Tom Hartley achieved a remarkable milestone, securing his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Also read: “What a champ” – Sanjay Manjrekar hails Jasprit Bumrah On X as he jolts England batters