'Shubman Gill a Very Talented Batsman But His Game is of White-ball Cricket And Flat Wickets': Former India Batter

Shubman Gill has been under the scanners after his poor show in the first Test match against England. The talented batter, who is touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, has failed to make a mark in Test cricket yet. The 24-year-old was the leading run-getter in ODIs last year but his form in red-ball cricket is a bit concerning.

Gill decided to take the number 3 spot in Test cricket last year with the West Indies Tests but since then he has yet to register a half-century. Batting at number 3, he has scored just 189 runs in 9 innings at an average of 23.62 and is yet to score a half-century.

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Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif asserted that Shubman is more of a white-ball batter as his game of flat wickets and in Test cricket, the pitches are often challenging with spin and bounce.

“Shubman Gill is a very talented batsman, no doubt about that, but his game is of white-ball cricket and flat wickets which we get in limited-overs internationals. But in Test cricket, you won’t get flat wickets, the ball will bounce, the ball will turn, so Gill has to work on his footwork and I am sure that he will make the necessary adjustments and will score runs again,” the former Indian cricketer said.

Shubman has been facing scrutiny for his loose defence in red-ball cricket as his spot in playing XI is also under threat now with players like Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan waiting for their opportunity.

Kaif also talked about the temperament of Indian players as three players failed to convert their 80s into centuries in the first innings of the Hyderabad Test.

“Most of the Indian batsmen got off to good starts in the first innings but for the temperament of Test cricket, you have to stay at the wicket and play according to the situation. I am sure head coach Rahul Dravid would have spoken to them about that,” the 43-year-old stated.

The second Test match between India and England will start on February 2 in Vizag where India will miss the services of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja.