Following India's series defeat against New Zealand in the recent ODI series, former India star Ravichandran Ashwin has offered a detailed breakdown of Shubman Gill's batting technique, particularly focusing on the flaws exposed during the final match in Indore. New Zealand secured a 2-1 series victory, marking their first-ever bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil.
Gill, who is the captain for the ODI team, scored 135 runs in the series, averaging 45.00 with a strike rate of 95.07. His most notable performance was a 56-run innings in the first ODI, which helped India chase down a target of 301 in Vadodara. Despite his contributions, Gill's performance in the series decider came under scrutiny after he was dismissed cheaply.
Ashwin, analyzing Gill's dismissal in Indore, pointed out a technical flaw that was exploited by New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson. Gill was dismissed by a delivery that pitched just outside off stump and nipped back sharply. Attempting a defensive stroke, a gap opened between Gill's bat and pad, allowing the ball to crash into the off-stump.
Ashwin explained that the flaw is related to Gill's natural batting style, which involves a strong bottom-hand grip. While this technique is effective in white-ball cricket, it can create problems when facing late swing or seam movement in red-ball cricket. Ashwin illustrated how Gill's bat, which usually comes from gully, is naturally picked up to hit the delivery, a technique honed over years of practice. However, when the ball seams back in, Gill needs to adjust his bat position to avoid leaving a gap between bat and pad. Ashwin noted that Gill's attempt to realign his bat was not enough to counter the late movement of the ball, leading to his dismissal.
Gill himself acknowledged the team's shortcomings in the series, particularly in the fielding department. He admitted that dropped catches at crucial moments proved costly. Gill also pointed out the failure of the top-order batsmen, including himself, to convert starts into substantial scores. He emphasized that in high-scoring matches, it is essential for the top batsmen to capitalize on their starts to post big totals.
Despite the series loss, Gill has decided to forgo a break and will instead participate in Punjab's upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra. This decision highlights Gill's commitment to red-ball cricket and his desire to contribute to Punjab's campaign in the domestic tournament.
Gill's batting style is generally characterized by a still stance after a couple of initial steps. He often marks his guard on the leg stump and then moves closer to or outside the off stump before the bowler releases the ball. This helps him gain time to judge the ball's length, and he typically plays his shots with ease without much foot movement. He is also known for his technique against bouncers and his clean drives.
