Vikram Rathour stood by Shubman Gill despite low scores, stating that one match doesn’t define a player. He praised Gill as India’s batting future.
During the first Test against West Indies in Dominica, where India triumphed by an innings and 141 runs, Gill, batting at No. 3, was dismissed for 6 off 11 balls.
Earlier, he had faced disappointment in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, scoring 13 and 18 at The Oval.
However, at a press conference on July 16, Rathour defended Gill and predicted a successful future for him in Test cricket.
“We will not evaluate him based on one innings. He has ample time, and I am confident he will perform well in this position because he possesses the necessary skills.”
“He can take his time and play patiently, while also being a stroke-player who can accelerate the game. Having such a batsman at No. 3 is highly advantageous,” Rathour stated.
“He feels that his right position in the longer formats is that” – Rathour said on Gill
#TeamIndia Batting Coach Vikram Rathour heaps praise on @imVkohli 👍#WIvIND pic.twitter.com/5H1K4J1J6F
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 16, 2023
The former Indian opener highlighted Gill’s proven potential in other formats and expressed his belief that Gill would be a valuable asset to the Indian team across all three formats for a long time.
Rathour praised Gill, acknowledging his hard work, temperament, and talent, and expressed his confidence that Gill had the qualities to become a prominent cricketer.
He added, “Although it may take some time in a specific format, he is utilizing that time effectively. With his potential and temperament, there is no doubt that he will have a lengthy career in the Indian team, playing across all three formats.”
Gill’s Test statistics are somewhat disappointing, with 927 runs in 17 matches at an average of 31.96.
Regarding Gill’s position at No. 3, Rathour revealed that Gill himself had requested the management to assign him that spot.
The think tank supported his decision, and Rathour explained that Gill had played at No. 3 or 4 in first-class cricket and believed it to be his ideal position in longer formats. Consequently, the team agreed that Gill should play at No. 3.
Gill will showcase his skills in the second Test against West Indies at Port of Spain in Trinidad from July 20 to 24.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
