[IND vs ENG] “The Pressure Kept On Growing..” Anil Kumble Identifies Batting Flaw As Shubman Gill Struggles In Test Arena

IND vs ENG: Shubman Gill, hailed as the main man of India’s next generation of cricketers, has found himself under intense scrutiny as his Test career has not unfolded as planned. Despite being backed by the team management and selectors, Shubman Gill and his performance in the longest format of the game has been far from satisfactory.

After the ICC Test Championship final in 2023, where Team India moved away from the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara and entrusted Shubman Gill with the crucial number 3 spot, expectations were high. The young batsman was seen as the future backbone of the Indian batting lineup, possessing both skill and flair. However, reality has not matched the anticipation, and Gill’s Test career has been marred by inconsistent performances.

Having played 37 Test innings so far, Gill holds a disappointing average of 30.6, a statistic that has attracted severe criticism. Both at home and overseas, Gill’s struggles have been evident, raising questions about his ability to adapt to different conditions and the quality of opposition bowlers.

In the first Test of the five-match series against England in Hyderabad, Gill’s poor run continued as he played a tentative knock, scoring just 23 runs off 66 balls in the first innings. His technique, once considered solid, has been put to the test against both pace and spin, exposing vulnerabilities that were not initially apparent.

The decision to back Gill over Pujara was a strategic move by the team management, aiming to inject youth and dynamism into the middle order. However, as Gill’s struggles persist, critics argue that the experienced Pujara’s solidity and ability to grind out tough periods should not have been overlooked.

The pressure on Gill has intensified with each unimpressive inning, leading to a growing chorus of critics questioning whether the young batsman is ready for the demands of Test cricket. While his talent is undeniable, Gill must now focus on translating potential into consistent performances on the big stage, proving that he is indeed the main man India can rely on for years to come. The challenges ahead, both at home and abroad, will be crucial for Shubman Gill to silence the critics and establish himself as a reliable and prolific Test batsman for India.

IND vs ENG: Anil Kumble Identifies Batting Flaw As Shubman Gill Struggles In Test Arena

Anil Kumble has identified a significant flaw in Shubman Gill’s batting technique, pointing out that the young batsman struggled to handle the increasing pressure and failed to rotate the strike effectively during his innings. Kumble emphasized the importance of Gill learning this crucial aspect of batting, especially if he aspires to hold the pivotal number 3 position, particularly on Indian tracks where spinners pose a significant threat.

Kumble highlighted that Gill’s inability to rotate the strike was a key issue that needed addressing. The pressure on Gill kept mounting, and he couldn’t find a way to maneuver the strike, leading to difficulties in building partnerships and maintaining the scoreboard momentum. Kumble stressed that for a batsman occupying the number 3 position, where facing spin is inevitable, the ability to rotate the strike becomes paramount.

The former Indian cricketer also analyzed Gill’s approach in the recent innings, noting that the young batsman took his time at the crease, which is understandable to avoid losing his wicket. However, Kumble expressed concern about Gill getting stuck in his innings, particularly in situations where he needed to accelerate the scoring. According to Kumble, Gill’s attempt to play a release shot against the turn might not have been the ideal choice, indicating a need for better shot selection and adaptability.

Drawing parallels with the legendary Indian batsmen like Pujara and Dravid, who were renowned for their ability to anchor the innings at number 3, Kumble emphasized that Gill must focus on rotating the strike to fulfill the demands of this crucial batting position. He suggested that Gill needs to develop a softer touch when facing spin, utilizing his wrists to navigate the turning deliveries effectively.

Kumble’s assessment of Shubman Gill’s batting revolves around the imperative need for the young cricketer to master the art of strike rotation, especially against spinners on Indian pitches. The former leg-spinner believes that incorporating this aspect into Gill’s game will be crucial for his success in the pivotal number 3 role, helping him emulate the success of stalwarts like Pujara and Dravid.

“Un par dabaav badhta gaya aur vo strike rotate nahi kar paaye (The pressure kept on growing and he couldn’t rotate strike. He will have to learn this. If he wants to bat at no. 3, especially on Indian tracks where spinners will cause trouble, he will have to rotate strikes. Even when he came out to bat yesterday, he took his time as you don’t want to lose your wicket. He got stuck today as well. Wanted to play the release shot against the turn, which i don’t think was the ideal shot. If he has to slot in that no. 3 role like Pujara or Dravid, he will have to rotate strike. He needs to play spin with soft hands and use his wrist. This is something he needs to add to his game,” Kumble said on Sports 18.

Shubman Gill last 10 Test innings:

23, 36, 10, 2, 26, 10, 29*, 6, 13 and 18
173 runs
19.22 average

If he was Pakistani, he'd be criticised and dropped, instead of being supported and given more chances#INDvENG #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) January 26, 2024