Shubman Gill's Batting Is A Double-Edged Sword - Cheteshwar Pujara Speaks On The Youngster's Technique

Senior India batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara opines that Shubman Gill could find it a bit difficult to eschew his attacking instincts and he should play aggressively as it’s the mindset that has brought him success in his short career hitherto.

Shubman Gill made his Test debut against Australia in Melbourne replacing his under-19 captain, Prithvi Shaw. Gill carved out a couple of promising innings in his debut Test. But the right-hander grew leaps and bounds in the next two matches, scoring two half-centuries. He returned with an average of 51 in 3 Tests – Gill’s 91 in the run-chase in Brisbane ensured that the visitors we always in the hunt for a victory.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who was once again the backbone of India’s triumph over Australia, believes that the 21-year-old has special talents and the team could definitely use him for a long time as an opener, a position where Indian batsmen in the past have struggled in overseas conditions.

“If I speak about his batting technically, it is a double-edged sword. If you remember, he was out a few times against Pat Cummins earlier in the series, caught at gully or slip, but at the same time, Gill can play the same ball for two or three. He is managing it really well. He is very talented and I hope he continues to improve because we need good openers,” Cheteshwar Pujara told ESPNcricinfo.

“Gill’s strength lies in the way he plays and that is why he is successful. If he tries to bat time or tries to defend for longer periods, it could pose a challenge for him,” he added.

Shubman Gill is one of the best timers of the ball: Cheteshwar Pujara

India’s no.3 has observed the KKR opener to be an exquisite timer of the ball and can pick the length of the ball early making his stroke pay look elegant. The 33-year-old lavishes some more praise on Shubman Gill’s timing and reckons the youngster plays his shots with high control and precision.

“He is one of the best timers of the ball. He has a natural ability to react to the ball a little earlier. He gets that extra fraction of time to judge the length, the line, and then play his shots, whether it be the pull or a cover drive. He has quick hands and his downswing is so good that even when he defends the ball, with that timing, sometimes, it goes for two or three runs. Sometimes it feels like he is playing with hard hands, but he is so good at his timing,” Pujara further said.

Shubman Gill will be seen in action soon opening alongside Rohit Sharma when India host Joe Root’s England for a 4-Test series beginning on 5th February in Chennai.

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