It can’t be one flow all the time - Anil Kumble’s advice for Shubman Gill

The Indian batting unit’s performance has been a topic of discussion for fans and experts alike, after a sore defeat against England in the opening Test. Particularly the No.3 slot, where Shubman Gill has endured minimal returns after a promising start to his career.

From 10 innings at No.3, Gill has just 189 runs at an average of 21, relatively poor numbers in the longest format of the game. However, former Indian captain Anil Kumble believes a few changes to Gill’s approach may fix things and get the youngster back to scoring heaps of runs. 

Talking to Jio Cinema, Anil Kumble said, “Gill needs to be a lot freer. He needs to score runs. He needs to come up with his own plan of action to tackle spin, because he has hard hands. It’s good for good surfaces where the ball is coming on nicely and the faster bowlers are bowling at you. But when the ball is turning, when it’s slow, you need to use your hands and control and check your shots.”

He further added, “That’s something he needs to work on. It can’t be one flow all the time. Yes, four days before the next Test, can you work on your skill? I think it’s all the mindset. You can certainly work on your mindset, and you have the best possible person as the coach (Rahul Dravid) to manage that for Shubman Gill.”

Drawing a quick contrast to Pujara, Kumble said, “He has been given the cushion perhaps even a Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t get, because although he (Pujara) has played over a 100 Tests, I keep coming back to him mainly because that was his place not too long ago. Pujara played in that World Test Championship final and post that, it’s been Shubman Gill, who’s been moving from the opener’s slot, and he himself wanted to bat at No. 3.”

He concluded by saying, “So, when you want to bat at No. 3, especially in India because you have that talent, you certainly need to work on your game. He has the skills, he is young and he’s learning, but he needs to do it in Vizag, otherwise the pressure will be on him.”