Shubman Gill under immense pressure, trying to become Abhishek Sharma

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has openly claimed that Shubman Gill is trying to copy his opening partner Abhishek Sharma, and that’s why he has been struggling to make a significant impact for the Men in Blue in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

After more than a year away from T20Is, Shubman Gill made a comeback, and that too as India’s vice-captain, and the pressure of living up to the hype and expectations is clear with his numbers. Gill is struggling to convert starts into big scores, scoring 20, 10, 5, 47, and 29 in his last five innings.

Mohammad Kaif claims Shubman Gill struggling as he tries to copy Abhishek Sharma

The Indian Test captain has not got a fifty so far in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, and Kaif said that there is pressure on Gill both as a comeback player and vice-captain, and that’s why he is struggling to find consistency while opening alongside the explosive Abhishek Sharma.

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The cricket expert has pointed out that Gill has often tried to copy Abhishek’s aggression and played ultra-aggressive shots, and in doing so, his natural game has been disrupted. Kaif feels Gill wants to match Abhishek’s strike rate, and that has caused him to lose his own batting rhythm.

Shubman Gill was trying to match Abhishek Sharma: Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif said in a video posted on his social media handles, “There is pressure. He is the vice-captain, and he is also making a comeback. So, there is a lot of pressure. I feel that when I saw him in the first match, he was trying to match Abhishek Sharma. He was like, 'If Abhishek Sharma hits, I'll also take a shot. I'll play ultra-aggressive'. And he got out. Then, after 2 matches, I saw Shubman Gill was trying to hit a grounder shot.”

Kaif further added, “He took a risk and hit a six. Then, he moved forward with a single and double. Then, he hit a boundary. So, he is feeling that he has to play around Abhishek Sharma’s strike rate. He has lost his batting plan. He is somewhere playing his own and then copying Abhishek, and that’s the story of the last six games.”

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Mohammad Kaif urges Shubman Gill to ignore the noise and focus on your game

The former Indian batter has further pointed out that the presence of talented players like Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma waiting for their chance has further intensified the pressure on Gill. He noted that there are so many talented players who are filled up till number 8, and that pressure is clearly visible on the young vice-captain.

Kaif emphasized that Gill must shut out the noise, focus on his own game, watch the ball carefully, and play instinctively, which is the same approach that brought him success in the IPL 2025, where he dominated both as a batter and Gujarat Titans captain.

He signed off by saying, “I feel that he should shut down all the noise. He should not listen to what others are saying. He should focus on his game. Watch the ball and react to it. This has been his formula and his success mantra in the IPL, and he must continue with that.”

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