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'Shubman Needs To…': Manjrekar Opens Up On Gill's Repeated Failures In Tests

image-ls4dtpuzJames Anderson celebrating Shubman Gill's downfall on Day 1 (BCCI)

Shubman Gill edged one towards English wicketkeeper off James Anderson on Day 1 of the second Test match to relinquish yet another confident start to an innings. His dismissal extended his lean path with the bat, especially in Tests, considering he has not registered a single fifty-plus score in the past 12 Test innings for the Indian team.

Former Indian cricketer and active commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes Gill needs to work on his defence if he wants to regain his lost touch with the bat in order to contribute at the Test level.

Manjrekar has this advice for struggling Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill tonked a rebellious 128 against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium back in March 2023. Since then, the cricketer has managed to tally just 207 runs off the subsequent 12 innings for Team India at a substandard average of 18.81.

Amidst his repeated struggles with the bat in Tests, Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Gill should focus on improving his defensive technique. Manjrekar also acknowledged that Gill’s poor run of form is an “uncontrollable” situation for the team management and the Indian selectors. While speaking with the ESPNCricinfo, he said:

“Shubman Gill needs to do something about his defence if he wants to be the prolific run-getter in the team at the Test level, both against swing and spin. That’s (his lack of form) is a cause for worry and that’s something that won’t be solved easily. These are uncontrollable for the team management, and the selectors.”

Shubman Gill’s extensive lean patch might well result in his ouster from the Indian playing XI for the third Test match of the series against England.

Virat Kohli, who opted himself out of the first two Tests, will reportedly be making his return to the squad next-up and can possibly replace Gill if the latter registers another failure in the second innings of the Vizag Test.