Cricket News

Rahul Dravid backs Shubman Gill to come off despite underwhelming Test numbers

India’s young sensation Shubman Gill’s meteoric rise in recent years has established him as one of the hottest talents in cricket. He’s become an indispensable figure in the Indian ODI setup, and his brilliance was duly recognized today with the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for International Cricketer of the Year (2022-23). This accolade stands as a testament to his exceptional skill and consistent stellar performances.

While Shubman Gill‘s ODI prowess is undeniable, his Test career is still waiting to fully ignite. Despite ample opportunities across 20 matches, his average hovers just above 30, with only two centuries to his name. These figures don’t quite mirror the exceptional talent he possesses, but it’s precisely this potential that keeps him backed by selectors and management. They clearly see the makings of a Test stalwart in him, waiting to blossom.

“Sometimes we forget that it takes a little bit of time at times”

Ahead of the crucial India vs England Test series starting January 25th in Hyderabad, head coach Rahul Dravid concerns about Shubman Gill’s underwhelming Test numbers. Acknowledging the need for patience with young talent, Dravid emphasized that adjustment takes time and pointed to Gill’s flashes of brilliance, like his 91 in the historic Gabba Test, as indicators of his immense potential.

“Gill is a fine player. Starting out as a journey as a cricketer, sometimes we forget that it takes a little bit of time at times. Some guys have success instantly, actually he is one of those guys who has done really well in some of his early days, especially in Australia,” Dravid was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Defending Gill’s Test numbers, Dravid acknowledged shed light on the demanding pitches faced by batsmen over the past few years. He emphasized that despite the recent dip in performance, Gill remains committed, diligently putting in the “hard yards” at the nets. Dravid expressed unwavering confidence in Gill’s potential, stating that he’s on the “right track” to conquer the Test arena.

“To be fair to him a lot of young guys coming through are playing on some challenging wickets, whether it’s been in India or England or West Indies. It has been a pretty challenging wickets for the last two or three years. He is doing all the right things. He is working really hard. He is putting in the time, putting in the effort. In the last season he has got a couple of nice hundreds for us one in Bangladesh and one in Ahmedabad against Australia. I think he is on the right track,” the 51-year-old said.