SA v IND 2023-24: “Playing a bit too aggressively in Test cricket,” Sunil Gavaskar offers crucial advice to struggling Shubman Gill

Gill registered scores of 2 and 26 across the two innings of Centurion Test.

By Salman Anjum - 31 Dec, 2023

Team India suffered an innings and 32-run defeat in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

The Indian batting line-up failed to step up as a unit in both innings, getting bowled out for 245 and 131 to lose the Test match inside three days.

Much was expected from Shubman Gill but he failed to live up to the expectations, registering scores of 2 and 26 across the two innings.

Ahead of the second Test, starting on January 3 in Cape Town, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has offered a crucial advice to Gill, saying that the lanky right-hander needs to curb his aggression while playing in the longest format.

"I think he is playing a bit too aggressively in Test cricket. There is a slight difference when you play Test cricket vs T20I and ODI cricket. The difference is in the ball. The red ball moves a little more than the white ball in the air and off the pitch as well. It bounces a little more too. He should keep that in mind," said Gavaskar on Star Sports.

"Shubman Gill started off his career so well and we praised his shots. We can only hope that he gets back into his form. Hope he trains harder and does well in the future," he added.

While Shubman Gill has established himself in India’s white-ball teams with phenomenal performances, he is yet to leave a big mark in Test cricket.

Gill has played 19 Tests so far, amassing 994 runs at an average of 31.06 with two hundreds and four half-centuries. He started his Test career as an opener but after Cheteshwar Pujara’s ouster from the side, Shubman has been batting at No. 3 for India.

By Salman Anjum - 31 Dec, 2023

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