Shubman Gill – The promising youngster who has taken enormous strides
Shubman Gill’s Test debut in Australia has been a daredevil one. Firstly you replace your peer (Prithvi Shaw) who was completely perplexed by the Aussie bowling, being done and dusted. Secondly, you go out to bat facing those nervy 15 -20 overs along with watching your opening partner lose his wicket in a very first over. Thirdly you have to face the modern-day bowling quartet (Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon) along with the demons of Adelaide (36 all out).
It might have been those open-mouthed overwhelming moments for Shubman Gill to begin his Test career, but when going gets tough, the tough get going. Facing swing, seam, spin, Gill not only makes a strong 45 but also exhibits a strong exposition dignifying his robust talent.
Shubman Gill looks like a man on a mission ?#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/cuUuglZfiu
— ICC (@ICC) January 19, 2021
A prompt rise
While making legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman become part of your praise-worthy wave, you are then certainly ought to pile up a profusion of runs. Although Gill’s ability to score consistently big was well witnessed when he amassed 418 runs at an average of 104.50 in the 2018 U-19 World Cup. But it was the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season which paved his way into the India A setup. He scored 728 runs in just nine innings at an average of 104.
Later on, while playing for India A on their tour of the Caribbean, not only he became the player of the series in the ODIs but also smashed an unbeaten 204 in a four-day match. In addition to that, when Gill played a match-winning 90 against South Africa A as a captain, there came his maiden India call-up against the South Africans at home for a Test series.
His exalted technique
Gill’s technique and his basic skills were well acknowledged on Twitter when India’s former opener Wasim Jaffer had commented saying “Straight bat. High Elbow. Head still. Getting on top of the bounce.” While the above three are the basics of batting, another base looks well-poised when it comes to playing a firm forward and a backward defence.
Shubman is special but please let him enjoy his cricket and grow into his career. Don’t compare him to anyone and put undue pressure on him. He’s not next somebody he’s first Shubman Gill. We’ve lost many great talents due to undue pressure and unreal expectations. #Shubmangill
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 29, 2020
His current four outings in Australia have exhibited some other key traits like his fluent stroke play, getting nicely on top of the bounce and playing along the ground. Overall, his technique does look profound and is also one of the main reasons why former cricketers do vouch on him to make it big.
Another area where Gill excels immaculately is regarding his mental understanding. While realizing this trait KKR’s head-coach Brendon McCullum did include him in the leadership group.
What’s next for him?
Although his infusion in the white-ball set up does look distant when it comes to Test cricket, he seamlessly should now be one of India’s three openers along with Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma. His aptness of being able to bat at any position from top-order to lower-middle order makes him a worthy proponent to accommodate any kind of openings in the batting order.
It will be interesting to see how this Indian team management fosters a talent like Gill, especially keeping in mind their history of vulnerabilities while grooming a youngster.
