Shubman Gill, the newly appointed captain of the Indian Test team, faces a challenging start to his leadership as the squad prepares for a five-match series against England. As the series opener approaches on June 20th, concerns surrounding Gill's batting form and technical adjustments have surfaced, potentially exposing a 'chink in his armour'.
Dinesh Karthik, the former Indian wicket-keeper, has voiced his concerns regarding Gill's technical flaws. He feels that Gill is yet to fully realize the weight of being India's Test captain and the hurdles that lie ahead. Karthik pointed out a potential area of vulnerability in Gill's technique, observing a tendency to push at the ball, which has often led to his downfall, especially in foreign conditions. This technical issue, Karthik suggests, requires immediate attention if Gill aims to perform consistently in challenging environments like England. Moreover, Karthik has advised Gill to prioritize his batting and focus less on captaincy while fielding, urging him to score runs to gain the respect of his teammates.
Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain and batting legend, has also weighed in on Gill's recent struggles. Ponting believes that Gill's poor form stems from excessively tinkering with his batting technique. He observed significant adjustments in Gill's approach, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which he believes hampered the batter's ability to score. Ponting suggests that Gill needs to trust his instincts and avoid overthinking his technique to rediscover his form.
Adding to these expert opinions, statistics highlight a stark contrast between Gill's home and away performances. While he boasts an impressive record in home Tests, his numbers dwindle significantly when playing in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). In these nations, Gill averages significantly less than at home, with only one century against Bangladesh. His struggles in England are particularly noteworthy, having managed a mere 88 runs in three matches played there.
Despite these concerns, some voices remain optimistic about Gill's potential. Former BCCI selector Venkatapathy Raju drew comparisons between Gill and Rohit Sharma, emphasizing that captaincy could bring about a positive change in Gill's approach to the game. Sunil Gavaskar has also urged patience with the young captain, advocating for a full season before judging his leadership capabilities. Gavaskar believes that the added responsibility of captaincy might encourage Gill to cut out risky shots, ultimately benefiting his batting.
The upcoming Test series against England presents a significant opportunity for Gill to silence his critics and establish himself as a reliable Test captain and batsman. However, he must address the technical concerns raised by experts like Karthik and Ponting and find a way to translate his domestic form into success in foreign conditions. The pressure will be immense, but with determination and a focus on his natural game, Gill has the potential to lead India to victory and cement his place in Test cricket history. One thing working in India's favour is England's vulnerable bowling attack at the moment.
