ENG vs IND: Ravi Shastri Slams Shubman Gill After He Falls Playing A Nothing Shot

Shubman Gill received harsh criticism from former India coach Ravi Shastri after being dismissed for 17 in the series-deciding Test match between India and England on Friday at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Gill and opening partner Cheteshwar Pujara got off to a good start when India was called to bat by England captain Ben Stokes after winning the toss. They blasted four boundaries in just 23 balls.

When India reached 27 in just six overs, however, Gill poked his bat at a wide delivery and was caught by Zak Crawley at second slip. Shastri was blunt in his criticism of Gill’s termination and called it out for what it was.

Shubman Gill Played A Bad Short To Get Out

“Yeah, he will be mighty disappointed. When he is set, he makes runs come. Everything before this, there was the intent. There was no intent here. It was just a tentative poke outside the off-stump. Really a nothing shot. He will be very disappointed with this because he had done a little bit of hard work. This is a boundary-scoring ground, Edgbaston. Stay at the crease, you will get runs. There is value for your shots,” he said on air.

Both Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain, who believed Gill could have easily left the ball, criticised the dismissal. In actuality, the young player excelled at this at the beginning of his innings. Gill was leaving the ball well while England was consistently bowling outside off against the new-ball opening combo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

However, Anderson’s plan was successful when he eventually made the breakthrough and got the first wicket for England. The dismissal hurt India as Gill was expected to provide a stable start after both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were ruled out of the game. In the penultimate ball of the first over, Gill caressed an on-drive off Anderson to start India off. The next time Gill hit a boundary, he did so with a straight drive. Then he hit a short-arm pull which has been associated with him for a while now. But then Anderson got the better of him as he poked a delivery he should have left.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: Jasprit Bumrah Commands The Respect Of The Team And Understands Tactical Side Of Things Well – Rahul Dravid