Ashwin Backs Gill to Regain T20I Spot with Natural Batting Approach
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has described Shubman Gill as "a bit like a don" in batting terms, emphasizing that the young star should enter the upcoming season "really hungry" to reclaim his place in the Indian T20I side. Ashwin urged Gill to focus on scoring runs rather than chasing a high strike rate, advising him to play his natural game.
Gill's T20I Struggles and World Cup Snub
After being dropped from the T20 World Cup squad despite serving as vice-captain leading up to the tournament, Gill is now determined to make a strong comeback. His recall to the T20I side as vice-captain saw Sanju Samson dropped and sometimes demoted in the batting order to accommodate Gill at the top. However, the experiment to establish Gill as a three-format player faltered, with him managing only 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 137.26, with a best score of 47.
Gill was ultimately omitted ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, following Ishan Kishan's impressive domestic season comeback and Samson's reinstatement as opener. In his T20I career so far, Gill has scored 869 runs in 36 innings at an average of 28.03 and a strike rate exceeding 137, including one century and three fifties. Unlike his IPL performances, Gill has often struggled to convert promising starts into substantial scores in T20Is.
Ashwin's Encouraging Words and Strategic Advice
Speaking on his YouTube channel 'Ash ki Baat', Ashwin highlighted Gill's resilience, particularly at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, where dismissing him has become challenging. "To dismiss him in Ahmedabad, he has become a bit like a don these days; it is quite difficult to get him out," Ashwin remarked. He encouraged Gill to "plunder runs" without overthinking his strike rate, stating that accumulating runs is the best way to stay in contention for national selection.
Ashwin, who has observed Gill closely, noted his passion for batting, describing run-scoring as "like a hobby" for him. He expressed confidence in Gill's shot-making abilities, urging him to avoid the trap of chasing strike rates at the expense of runs. "If Shubman keeps chasing strike rate and does not score runs, then GT will struggle big time. I hope he does not do that. Gill has a lot of skill. He can score runs without chasing a high strike rate. If he plays normal cricket, what shots does he not have?" Ashwin added.
Gill's IPL Pedigree and Future Prospects
Ashwin predicted that Gill, alongside teammates like Sudharsan and Buttler, will enter the season with heightened determination, potentially leading to another Orange Cap pursuit. "We will get another season where Gill chases the Orange Cap. It may also happen that he gets the Orange Cap, because he can and will do anything to get back into the T20I team," he concluded.
Gill's IPL record underscores his capabilities:
- He is the highest run-getter in the 2020s decade in the IPL, with 3,367 runs at an average of 40.56 in 91 innings and a strike rate of 139.70, including four centuries and 22 fifties.
- His standout 2023 season featured 890 runs in 17 innings at a strike rate over 157, with three centuries and four fifties.
- At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gill has amassed 1,283 runs in 26 matches, showcasing his dominance at the venue.
As the current Gujarat Titans skipper, Gill's form and Ashwin's guidance could be pivotal in his bid to return to the Indian T20I setup, with the IPL serving as a crucial platform for his resurgence.
