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Shubman Gill has honed his technique and has tightened his game considerably. His head no longer dips much toward the off-stump, giving him the look of a traditional ODI opener. The way he executed his straight and cover drives against Pakistan in the league match of the Champions Trophy clearly shows that Gill has reached a point of no return — he’s on the brink of his prime. His current batting prowess speaks volumes about his development.
A few months ago, Gill was dropped from the Test XI in the fifth Test match against Australia in Sydney, and he wasn’t seen as a sure shot for the T20 team. With Yashasvi Jaiswal showcasing his class in Test cricket, Gill faced mounting pressure to secure his spot as a regular in the ODI team.
However, the backing from chief selector Ajit Agarkar changed it all. Gill was named vice-captain, and his form in the ODI series against England sent a strong message that he is here ro stay. Gill was fortunate to have managed runs against Pakistan, but as the saying goes, fortune favors the brave. While luck certainly played a role, it was his hard work that made that luck work in his favour.
Whether driving, pulling, hooking, or using his feet against fast bowlers, he showcased his complete skill set in Dubai. Given the way Gill is batting right now, he should focus exclusively on ODI and Test cricket. Even the selectors and senior figures from the Indian team — like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh — should speak with him, explaining that his batting style is ideally suited for these two formats rather than T20.
Although Gill couldn’t finish the game for India and was dismissed for 46 against Pakistan, he certainly displayed the best form we’ve seen from him in recent years.
