India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar answers why Shubman Gill is not consistent in Test cricket

Shubman Gill, often hailed as the Prince of Indian cricket and deemed the torchbearer of Virat Kohli’s legacy across all formats has positioned himself in the Indian cricket team since his debut in 2019. Known for his elegant strokeplay and calm temperament, Gill’s 2023 highlights include a double century in ODIs and a century in T20Is, solidifying his presence on the international stage.

Despite his stellar white-ball performances, Gill faces a conundrum in Test cricket, particularly in SENA countries. His prowess against the short ball contrasts with his struggle against the swinging red ball, raising concerns about his place in the Indian Test side.

While his home turf boasts a commendable average of 39.25, his numbers in SENA countries drop to 25.43, falling below the standards set by India‘s historical batting pedigree. The recent Centurion Test against South Africa exposed Gill’s vulnerability to seam and swing, skillfully exploited by pacers Nandre Burger and Marco Jansen.

Sunil Gavaskar provides his insights on Gill’s test woes

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar deep dives into Shubman Gill’s inconsistent Test performance, offering invaluable analysis. Gavaskar suggests that Gill’s aggressive style may be counterproductive in the red-ball format as he is a bit too aggressive in this format of the game. Gavaskar emphasized the need to adapt his approach to suit the nuances of Test cricket.

Highlighting the significant disparity between red and white balls, Gavaskar notes the increased swing tendency of the former. When coupled with Gill’s aggressive batting, this results in early dismissals. Gavaskar remarks, “I feel Shubman Gill is being overly aggressive. He has to keep the difference between the red ball and white ball in mind while playing shots.”

While acknowledging Gill’s potential for improvement and his ability to learn from mistakes, Gavaskar remains hopeful about the young cricketer’s future in Test cricket. The prodigious talent now stands at a crossroads, with his adaptability in the red-ball arena becoming a crucial factor in shaping his Test career.