Former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes that for Shubman Gill to live up to expectations, he must consistently deliver strong performances, particularly in overseas matches. Srikkanth encouraged Gill to aim for a level of success comparable to that of Virat Kohli, achieved through steady and influential performances.
In the first Test between India and South Africa at Centurion, Gill scored just 2 and 26 in team's innings and 32-run loss. Surprisingly, in his last five Test innings since the series against West Indies, Gill hasn't crossed the 30-run mark.
The 24-year-old batting sensation has amassed 994 runs in 19 Test matches at an average of 31.06, including two centuries and four fifties. However, Gill's recent form has dipped, with only 83 runs in his last five innings. His most significant recent score, 128, was in the fourth Test against Australia in March.
Srikkanth stressed the importance for Gill to perform exceptionally in international cricket, particularly by scoring in challenging overseas conditions, drawing inspiration from Virat Kohli's impressive achievements in various formats.
“Shubman Gill has to perform well across the world. Scoring runs in the sub-continent alone doesn’t help. He has to score runs overseas. Why are we calling Virat Kohli the King? Look at his record, even in the last year, be it Test matches, ODI, or T20Is. Just look at his records. I have nothing more to say. Yes, I accept you can’t produce a Virat Kohli every time. Everybody can’t produce Virat Kohli (Kohli-like numbers). But you have to try and get to at least a bit of that stature,” Srikkanth said in a YouTube show.
In 2023, Gill stood out as the top run-scorer in international cricket, accumulating over 2000 runs. His skills were particularly evident during the ODI World Cup, where he scored 354 runs, including four half-centuries. Additionally, he scored a century in a T20I match in Ahmedabad, though he managed only one fifty in 13 innings.
Srikkanth also spoke about the buzz surrounding Gill, advising caution in both overestimating and underestimating the young player's abilities. In his commentary, Srikkanth also commended Rishabh Pant for his extraordinary talent, despite Pant being currently out of the selection pool.
“I think the hype around Shubman Gill, quite a few are saying ‘he is the next this, next that’. I think we will have to wait and see. I wouldn’t overrate him, I wouldn’t want to underestimate him,” Srikkanth further added.
KL Rahul is someone who has been underperforming. With the class that he has, he can become at least 60 to 70 percent of what Virat Kohli has become. That’s my rating. Rishabh Pant is another class player. He is on another level. Unfortunately, we don’t have him for selection now,” the 64-year-old concluded.
India would want Shubman Gill to find his rhythm again in the no.3 spot, given the team's busy Test schedule in 2024. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma's brigade will look to avoid a series whitewash as they take on South Africa in the New Year’s Test in Cape Town, scheduled from January 3 to 7.
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