SENA blues haunt Shubman Gill: Why does the white-ball shine test him in AUS and SA?

Shubman Gill facing tough SENA challenge [Source: AFP Photos]

Shubman Gill, the newest Test and ODI captain, is viewed as the star who will lead Indian cricket in the next decade. However, the skipper’s white-ball stats in SENA conditions are far from ideal.

Gill has cemented his reputation in Tests overseas, scoring 700+ runs in a 5-game Test series against England. However, his record in white-ball cricket in SENA conditions (South Africa, England, and Australia) tells a more worrying story.

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Shubman Gill meets adversity in the ODI series vs Australia

(Table: Shubman Gill's ODI stats in Australia and New Zealand)

In his first ODI series as captain, Shubman Gill finished with 43 runs in 3 games at a modest average of 14.33, the lowest among Indian captains who faced Australia in ODIs.

Despite getting good starts at 10, 9 and 24, Gill holed out each time and wasted his wicket. 

The pace, bounce, and movement on offer in venues like the SCG, Adelaide, and Perth seem to challenge him more than subcontinent conditions. 

Against Australia, he has struggled to time the ball consistently and has often fallen to well-directed fast bowling, which exploits even the slightest technical flaw. 

This was evident during the recent series where, despite his natural talent, he found it difficult to calm himself and faced causal dismissals.

Before Australia was New Zealand, where Shubman Gill has managed to score just 124 runs in 5 ODIs at 31.00 average. The Kiwis offer similar conditions to Australia, and Gill once again failed to adapt. 

Shubman Gill had a similar fate in South Africa

(Table: Shubman Gill's T20Is stats in South Africa)

In South Africa, Shubman Gill has played 2 T20Is, scoring just 8 runs at 4.00 average. The quick and bouncy playing surfaces, along with raw pace and short boundaries, requires a good blend of power, foot movement, and anticipation.  

Gill, who thrives on timing and placement, has sometimes found it tough to adjust, leaving him vulnerable in the middle overs. 

Given this sample size, it's safe to say Gill’s performance in these SENA white-ball conditions remains questionable.

What’s going wrong for Shubman Gill?

The conditions in SENA countries provide a stark contrast to India’s home pitches. Australian pitches are fast, bouncy, and true, frequently offering pace bowlers movement, particularly early in the match which makes things tough for openers.

South African grounds are similar, with high bounce and quick outfields, making timing crucial. 

Any lack of focus or a misjudged shot can lead to swift dismissals. These are challenges that are not impossible to overcome, demand flexibility, something Shubman Gill has shown more convincingly in longer formats than in ODIs and T20Is overseas.

Yet, things are not as bad as they seem for the young opener. The technique that worked magic in England Tests can be adapted for white-ball cricket with experience and fine-tuning.

Better shot selection, improved practice on the pull and cut shot off short-pitched balls, and better reading the conditions can make Shubman Gill a player to reckon with in white-ball cricket in SENA countries.

His cricketing acumen and natural calmness equip him with the skills to rise above these challenges.

Final thought

For India, the ability of Gill to mould himself will be important in future tours, particularly now that he is the leader of the ODI team.

As the side looks for stability and balance at the top order, the spotlight will fall on him to convert his potential into consistent performances abroad. 

Fans, who have celebrated his elegance in Tests, will look forward to witnessing Shubman Gill bring that sparkle to ODIs and T20Is in tough overseas conditions. 

The SENA blues are a hurdle, but for a batsman of Gill’s calibre, it’s far from a roadblock and just a challenge waiting to be conquered.

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