Shubman Gill Is Just A Match Away From A Big Score, Says Brian Lara
Oct 2, 2021 at 2:45 PM
Brian Lara, West Indies legendary former batsman, thinks that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) should not consider replacing opener Shubman Gill anytime soon.
According to the iconic southpaw, Shubman Gill is just a match away from getting a big score.
Brian Lara: Shubman Gill Is Just A Match Away From A Big Score
Shubman Gill was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018 and turned in useful contributions for them in his debut season and 2019 season, managing above 200 runs in both editions, averaging about 33. He averaged similarly in 2020, where he managed 440 runs, but he could score only 239 runs in 12 games in IPL 2021, averaging below 20.
Talking to Star Sports’ Game Plan, Brian Lara said, “Gill is a bit unlucky and if you look at him bat, he is in some form. I believe he is just a match away from a big score. He gels really well with Iyer (Venkatesh) and I believe that both of them can take KKR to new heights. Replacing Gill now is not something that KKR should consider.”
Shubman Gill has played only 8 Tests and 3 ODIs but is touted as a future star in the making. However, he was injured after the WTC Final and didn’t play any of the 4 Tests against hosts England. In IPL 2021, his highest score is 48, as he is yet to score a fifty. Shubman Gill has scores of 48, 13, 9, 30, and 7 since the restart of IPL 2021 in the UAE.
Brian Lara: PBKS’ Batting Has Come Up Very Short
Brian Lara also discussed the Punjab Kings'(PBKS) chances of winning their matches over the weekend and their team’s potential.
“I think their team has the capability even though they are not playing great cricket at the moment. Their batting has just always been their strength and that has come up very short. Nicholas Pooran and Chris Gayle have not been playing well. Even their captain KL Rahul has not been in good form since the resumption.”
“Their batting is the one thing that they depended on in the past where they posted big totals and tried to defend it. But if they don’t post big runs on the board, they find it very difficult with the bowling attack that they have.”
“Ravi Bishnoi is performing well and Mohammed Shami as you know is a professional and they expect that from him. Their batting has to be clicking and if they do click they give themselves that slight chance. It does not mean that they can pull it off but they give themselves a better chance than they have been giving themselves in recent matches,” said Brian Lara.
Punjab Kings’ flickering playoff hopes brightened after they beat Kolkata Knight Riders in their Indian Premier League 2021 match by five wickets in the last over after a captain’s knock from KL Rahul. A day after Chris Gayle left them to be fresh for West Indies at the Twenty20 World Cup, Punjab joined Kolkata and Mumbai on 10 points on Friday as the three teams battle for the fourth and final qualifying spot.