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At a relatively young age, Shubman Gill has to face immense pressure. He is just 25 plus years of age but he is being expected to deliver match-winning performances, especially in high-stakes games, which is often reserved for players who have reached the prime of their careers, typically between 26 and 34 years. The early spotlight on his career has created enormous expectations that may stifle his natural development.
The problem is that Gill is being treated not as a young talent in the process of maturing, but as a key player who should be delivering consistently in crucial moments. This is a heavy burden for someone who is still fine-tuning his game and adapting to different formats. More than immediate results, what Gill needs is time to refine his skills and the freedom to play with a clear mind, without the constant pressure of being a match-winner.
It would benefit both him and the team if he is allowed to focus on his development rather than pushing him prematurely to fill the shoes of a seasoned match-winner. Finding a balance between nurturing his talent and gradually giving him the responsibility of winning big games will likely bring out the best in him.
Surrounding him with experienced players who can guide him and create a supportive, pressure-free environment could be key to unlocking his full potential. A key technical issue in Gill’s batting, which has been evident for some time, is the tendency for the head to fall towards the off stump. It is indeed a critical weakness, particularly when facing left-arm seamers or in-swingers.
This head movement disrupts his balance and alignment, making him vulnerable to deliveries targeting his pads or stumps. The bottom hand dominance, which influences his grip and stance, exacerbates this issue, as it can lead to a closed-off position, making it harder for him to deal with the inswing. This isn’t a new flaw but a recurring one that has surfaced in various matches, particularly against high-quality swing bowlers.
When a batter’s head falls towards the off-stump, it can lead to a misalignment of the body, reducing the effectiveness of both shot-making and defence. This can also explain why he sometimes appears more prone to LBWs or bowled dismissals, especially when the ball moves in sharply.
Addressing this technical glitch will require Gill to work on maintaining a steadier head position and ensuring his weight transfer is more aligned towards the ball. A focus on balance and grip adjustment, especially reducing the bottom-hand dominance, could help him correct this flaw and become more stable at the crease. It may also be beneficial for him to spend more time working with coaches who specialize in refining these technical aspects, especially against the type of deliveries that currently trouble him.
At the highest level of cricket, a technical flaw is not necessarily a career-defining issue if the batter is able to manage it effectively. Many great players have had technical shortcomings but they learned to work around them through careful adjustments and mental resilience. In Gill’s case, his awareness of the issue and the guidance from seasoned mentors like Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir could certainly help him navigate this challenge.
Players like Steve Smith, who has an unconventional technique but excels by compensating with his unique strengths, are examples of how a player can thrive even with technical flaws. If Gill can manage his head position and the associated vulnerabilities against certain types of bowlers while still playing to his strengths, this flaw won’t necessarily hold him back. The key is finding a consistent way to cope with it under pressure.
The fact that Gill has already shown such immense potential suggests that with the right adjustments and mental approach, he can evolve beyond this issue. The best outcome would be for him to not just manage it but eventually rectify it, ensuring his technique is sound for the long haul. Considering his talent, discipline, and the support he has around him, there is every reason to believe he can sort this out and continue developing into one of India’s leading batter.
