Shubman Gill, India’s No. 3 batter, has had a tough outing in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. While players like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli have made significant contributions with the bat, Gill’s performances have fallen short of expectations. Despite his immense talent and a promising start to his Test career, the young batter is yet to make a significant impact in the series.
Early Promise and Current Struggles
Gill first showcased his potential during India’s historic series win in Australia four years ago, particularly with a remarkable knock of 91 at the Gabba. However, his recent performances have failed to match that level. After missing the Perth Test due to a thumb injury, Gill returned for the matches in Adelaide and Brisbane. While he made some promising starts, including scores of 31 and 28, he has struggled to convert them into substantial innings.
In the current series, Gill’s maiden outing seemed promising as he struck five boundaries during his 51-ball stay. However, he was dismissed by Scott Boland with a full, straight delivery. In the second innings, Gill raced to 28 off 30 balls before being bowled by Mitchell Starc with another full-length ball.
Ricky Ponting’s Analysis of Gill’s Technical Issues
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting weighed in on Gill’s recent struggles, pointing out a technical flaw in his approach. Speaking on the ICC Review, Ponting observed:
“I love watching Shubman Gill bat. When he’s in form, he looks as good as anyone in world cricket. But his numbers away from home don’t stack up. Against Scott Boland, he shifted his guard, moved across to the off stump, and exposed his front pad. Boland exploited that and got him out with a full, straight delivery.”
Ponting suggested that Gill’s adjustments to his technique might be doing more harm than good, leading to his dismissals against full deliveries.
Suggestions for Improvement
To overcome his struggles, Ponting emphasized the need for Gill to trust his defensive game while maintaining his natural, attacking mindset. He remarked:
“Gill needs to back his defensive technique a bit more, especially in Australia. At the same time, he should play with the mindset of scoring runs and not worry too much about getting out. When he plays with freedom and confidence, he’s at his best.”
Ponting believes that if Gill approaches his innings with a positive and attacking mindset, he could turn his fortunes around in the series, particularly in the upcoming Melbourne Test.
A Crucial Phase for Gill
As the series hangs in the balance, Gill has a crucial opportunity to redeem himself and solidify his position in the team. With support from captain Rohit Sharma and valuable insights from legends like Ponting, the young batter has the tools to address his flaws and deliver impactful performances.
