Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has pinpointed a specific technical concern for opener Shubman Gill, highlighting his struggles against deliveries bowled on a straight line. Bangar's analysis comes as Gill has managed only 32 runs across three matches in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa.
Gill's Technical Flaw Exposed
While speaking on JioStar's 'Game Plan', Bangar observed that Gill's initial footwork appears positive. However, the real issue surfaces against straighter deliveries, where his strike rate sees a significant drop. "If you remove three or four boundaries over 28 games, the issue has been on straighter lines. Against straight deliveries, his strike rate has fallen quite low," Bangar stated.
He contrasted this with Gill's comfort zone outside the off-stump, where his scoring rate remains healthy, albeit with a few edges. The former coach urged the young batter to refine his footwork to counter this weakness consistently. Bangar did note that the delivery which dismissed Gill in the second T20I was an excellent one that could have troubled any batsman.
Praise for Abhishek Sharma's Aggression
Shifting focus to another young talent, Bangar heaped praise on opener Abhishek Sharma for his fearless and attacking mindset. He specifically commended Sharma's ability to hit clean, big sixes over the covers, attributing it to his high backlift and powerful swing which grants him exceptional reach.
"His attacking mindset is a key factor. He has the ability to strike the ball cleanly, especially over the covers, which is a special skill," Bangar added, highlighting the left-hander's positive intent at the top of the order.
Hardik Pandya's Crucial Dual Role
Bangar also emphasised the invaluable all-round contribution of Hardik Pandya to the Indian team's balance. He explained that with the bat, Pandya's wide base and deep stance allow him to generate power all around the ground.
With the ball, his ability to bowl fuller lengths at speeds of around 132-133 kmph, coupled with swing and accurate yorkers, makes him a potent weapon. "Pandya’s versatility provides India with a great balance," Bangar concluded, underlining the cricketer's dual impact.
