T20 World Cup 2024: 'You're lucky that...' - Virender Sehwag namedrops Ruturaj Gaikwad in blunt message to Shubman Gill over WC selection

Former Indian opening batter Virender Sehwag made shocking remarks on Gujarat Titans (GT) batter Shubman Gill's poor form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Virender Sehwag stated that Shubman Gill is lucky to be included in the reserves list for the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.

Shubman Gill has been going through a lean patch with the bat in the ongoing tournament. Gill has scored 322 runs in 11 games at an average of 32.20 and a strike rate of 137.61, including two half-centuries. The young batter last scored his half-century against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 10.

The GT skipper failed to make it to the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC tournament. However, Gill was included in the four-member reserve list along with Rinku Singh, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed. Gill has scored 335 runs in 14 innings at an average of 25.77 and a strike rate of 147.58.

Shubman Gill Should Not Let His Place Go - Virender Sehwag

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag stated that KL Rahul and Ruturaj Gaikwad should be in the T20 World Cup reserves. Sehwag advised Gill to seize opportunities and focus on scoring runs at a good strike rate.

"I think he's lucky that his name is in the T20 World Cup reserves. KL Rahul and Ruturaj Gaikwad are not even in that. That's a good point and he should be motivated by that. Next time, he should not let his place go once he gets a chance. He should focus on scoring runs at a good strike rate so he doesn't get replaced," Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

The 24-year-old scored only two runs off seven deliveries in the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 4. The Titans were bowled out for 147 runs in 19.3 overs. The hosts chased down the target with four wickets and 38 deliveries to spare.

They Never Gave A Reason To Get Dropped - Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag highlighted how Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman delivered consistent performances. Sehwag urged Gill to focus on improving his skills and consistently scoring big runs to secure his place in the team.

“In my days, we had Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman. It doesn't matter how many runs the other guys scored, these guys didn't go out because they never stopped scoring runs. How will you drop them if they keep scoring runs? They never gave a reason to get dropped. This is what Shubman Gill has to learn. Once he returns to Indian team and plays regularly post the World Cup, he shouldn't let such an opportunity arise again. Improve your skills and score big, because big scores will eventually save you,” Sehwag further said.

Shubman Gill will be next seen in action when the Gujarat Titans take on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, May 10. The Ahmedabad-based team is currently in ninth place in the table, having secured four wins in 11 matches.

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