Shubman Gill is undoubtedly one of India’s most promising young cricketers at the moment. His brilliant knock of 91 at the Gabba while chasing 328 runs in the fourth innings, announced Gill’s arrival on to the international arena in style. Since then, the Indian opener hasn’t looked at his best.
He managed to average only 19.83 against England in the Test series at home and has struggled to score big against New Zealand in the finals of the World Test Championship.
Former India Batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has pointed out some chinks in Shubman Gill’s batting technique. Manjrekar wants Shubman Gill to revisit his footwork in England conditions. In the post-match analysis for Espncricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar stated:
He (Shubman Gill) will have to work on his footwork. I mean its something that ‘s very obvious for everyone to see. That he is also getting out to the ball that is leaving and the ball coming back in that is a problem. And like I mentioned in the first innings, its always front foot.
Shubman Gill Test Batting Average v pace:
Short lengths – 135.00
Full and Good Lengths – 16.20#WTCFinal— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 22, 2021
Sanjay Manjrekar stated that Shubman Gill hasn’t played much on his backfoot in this Test and is thinking about not getting dismissed to a delivery that is pitched up.
Shubman Gill right through this test match not once have I seen him go back, so he is really focused on making sure he doesn’t get out to a ball that is pitched up.
Sanjay Manjrekar is skeptical about the approach of the Indian batsmen to play on the front foot all the time. He added that the footwork of the Indian batsmen is suited for wickets like Adelaide where the ball is shooting up and then it’s understandable to bat on the front foot, but has reservations if the same technique will work in other batting conditions.