Cricket News

Shubman Gill is a very talented batsman but…’ – Former India player lands out huge remark on Shubman Gill ahead of second Test

A former Indian cricketer, Mohammad Kaif has expressed his belief that although Shubman Gill has the talent to be more conducive in his style in white-ball cricket on even surfaces. He encouraged the young player to focus on refining his footwork and enhancing his abilities in the longer format of the game.

In one-day cricket, the 24-year-old Gill boasts an impressive track record. Across 44 matches, he has amassed 2,271 runs at a remarkable average of 61.37 and a striking rate of 103.46, including six centuries and 13 half-centuries. However, his Test average stands at a modest 29.52 from 21 matches. The India batter also had a superb 2023 year where he was among the runs for India.

“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 in an interview to the Times of India.

Most of the Indian batter got off to a good start: Mohammad Kaif

Kaif highlighted India’s batting display in the first Test against England, emphasizing the missed opportunities to convert fifties into centuries. Despite promising starts from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja, none managed to reach the coveted milestone. Kaif also noted a decline in India’s spin-playing ability, exemplified by debutant Tom Hartley’s impressive performance with seven wickets in the second innings, contributing significantly to England’s 28-run victory.

“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.