From being touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Shubman Gill suddenly finds himself struggling to find a foothold on the tricky pitch of international cricket. And all that has happened in a span of just a few months.
Averaging 51.80 at a strike rate of 60.65 in his debut Test series, that too in Australia, Shubman gave India enough reasons to believe that he was an ideal opening partner for Rohit Sharma. But
the 21-year-old left his form back in Australia as in the recently concluded home series against England he aggregated just 119 with a 50 as his best score.
Looking at his six dismissals in the four Tests at home, five times he was dismissed by quicks, something that is surprising given the success he had against Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in their den not too long ago.
So what exactly ails Shubman? Is it his technique?
“I found his footwork a little less this time than how it was in Australia. That could be because of the uncertainty in the wickets, but then, that is of utmost importance,” former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad, who has also opened on several occasions for India, told The Telegraph.
“Second, he shouldn’t play away from the body. He has been doing so of late and that’s where he got into trouble.
“For openers, on any wicket, it’s important to play late and close to the body — let the ball come in and not reach towards the ball.
“Your movement should be as less as possible at the time of delivery. You also have to be steady, your balance has to be right and you can’t be falling on the off side. These are small things though and can be rectified in time. But he has to do it in order to progress further,” Gaekwad, currently a member of the BCCI apex council, emphasised.
Former national selector Devang Gandhi, who had seen Shubman for the first time back in the 2016-17 Emerging Trophy and could notice the “spark” in him then itself, isn’t too worried about the current slump in the youngster’s form.
“There’s always scope for improvement, but it’s not that he has technical flaws or anything like that. It’s just a matter of making those small adjustments.
“Maybe his head is falling a bit, but not that he’s slashing and getting out, which could’ve been a worry,” Devang said. “He’s supremely talented and definitely one for the future, so we need to be patient with him. He needs that backing.”
With New Zealand featuring the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner, India will most likely face a trial by pace in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. However, regardless of the conditions, Shubman should be in the XI of the decider, feels Devang.
“He should be the one opening with Rohit in the WTC final because chopping and changing doesn’t help much, there has to be continuity as well. Why I say so strongly about Shubman is that he showed what he is capable of against a strong Australian fast-bowling attack. He should do well in England too,” Devang said.
Gaekwad too wants the Indian team management to back Shubman. “No need to panic, because these things do happen.
“Shubman has a good temperament to play at this level and can take pressure as well, which is a great quality,” he stated.
“Even (Mohammed) Azharuddin went through a similar kind of phase. When he came in, he got three hundreds in a row and thereafter there was a lull of around six to eight months. So this is what international cricket is all about,” Gaekwad added.
“Once your weaknesses are detected, the harder it becomes for you. So the quicker you get over these problems, the better you’ll be in time to come.”
Vs Aus Vs Eng Overall
Matches 3 4 7
Runs 259 119 378
Highest 91 50 91
Avg. 51.80 19.83 34.36
Shubman in Tests
Modes of dismissal
Bowled: 1
Caught: 5
Caught behind: 2
LBW: 3
Out to pacers: 9
Out to spinners: 2
