Sunil Gavaskar Questions Shubman Gill's Batting Approach After ODI Dismissal
Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar delivered sharp criticism of captain Shubman Gill's batting technique following his dismissal in the third ODI against New Zealand. The match took place on January 18, 2026, with India chasing a challenging target of 338 runs.
Gill's Early Departure Disrupts India's Chase
Shubman Gill started aggressively, scoring 23 runs from just 18 balls. His promising innings ended abruptly in the seventh over when New Zealand bowler Kyle Jamieson clean bowled him. The delivery nipped back sharply from outside the off stump, beating Gill's forward defense completely.
The ball pitched in the channel outside off, and as Gill pressed forward in defense, it sneaked past his inside edge. The delivery clipped the top of his pads before crashing into the off stump, leaving the Indian captain walking back to the pavilion.
Gavaskar Highlights Technical Flaws
During his commentary, Sunil Gavaskar expressed clear disappointment with Gill's technique against incoming deliveries. He contrasted Gill's current approach with his successful England tour performance.
"When Shubman Gill scored those 754 runs in England, his bat and pad were incredibly close together," Gavaskar recalled. "I kept saying they resembled a newly married couple - that inseparable. His defense appeared impregnable during that period."
Gavaskar praised Gill's earlier batting form, noting his straight driving matched the quality of cricket greats Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli at their peak. He emphasized that proper technique contributed significantly to Gill's 754-run achievement in England.
Rejecting Modern Batting Advice
The former batting maestro strongly dismissed suggestions that Gill should modify his backlift for white-ball cricket. Gavaskar called such advice "nonsense" during his commentary analysis.
"We can clearly see the gap between bat and ball now," Gavaskar observed. "It's a substantial gap, with the bat coming from an awkward angle. Some people suggest you need to bring your bat from third man or gully positions to succeed in white-ball cricket. That's absolute nonsense."
Long-Standing Technical Issue
This dismissal highlights a persistent problem in Gill's batting career. He has consistently struggled against incoming deliveries throughout his international journey.
Technical analysis reveals Gill's primary challenge involves slow weight transfer onto his front foot. This issue originates from his childhood training on cement pitches, where backfoot play becomes instinctive while front foot work requires conscious effort.
Successful batting demands proper weight transfer and stillness during shot execution. Top-level batsmen need strong backfoot play while maintaining balance and skill to play under their eyes, with the ability to transfer weight forward efficiently.
Gill's technical adjustment remains crucial as India continues developing its batting lineup for future international challenges. The team management will likely work closely with him to address these technical concerns before upcoming series.
