Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin offered a detailed technical explanation of Shubman Gill’s dismissal against New Zealand, shedding light on the finer aspects of modern batting technique. Gill, who looked comfortable during his brief stay at the crease, was dismissed for 23 by Kyle Jamieson in a crucial ODI.
While the dismissal appeared routine at first glance, Ashwin stressed that such moments are often the result of small technical nuances rather than major flaws. He noted that Gill attempted to close the gap between bat and pad, but execution at the final moment proved decisive.
Gavaskar’s Criticism And Ashwin’s Response
Gill’s dismissal also sparked debate after former India captain Sunil Gavaskar openly criticised the young batter’s technique. Gavaskar felt Gill’s defensive alignment left him vulnerable, especially against taller fast bowlers extracting bounce. Responding to this, Ashwin said the issue was more subtle than it seemed. “It’s not about intent,” Ashwin explained, adding that Gill “wanted to shut the gap between bat and pad” but couldn’t make the necessary last-second correction.
According to Ashwin, Gill’s bottom hand remained slightly firm on the handle, preventing the bat from coming down flush. He emphasised that this is a common challenge for batters who constantly switch between formats and scoring tempos.
Modern Batting Challenges In A Format-Heavy Era
Ashwin further contextualised Gill’s dismissal by pointing to the demands of modern cricket. With players juggling Tests, ODIs and T20s, minor adjustments can sometimes go wrong under pressure. He highlighted that Gill’s technique is largely sound but added that even elite batters can struggle when small movements don’t sync perfectly. Ashwin remarked that “these are fine margins” and insisted such dismissals should not be overanalysed.
Despite Gill’s early exit, India still fought hard, led by Virat Kohli’s magnificent century, though it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat. Ashwin concluded that Gill’s learning curve remains strong and moments like these are part of growth at the international level, especially against quality fast bowling in challenging conditions.
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