While Shubman Gill has looked almost unstoppable this year, former Australia skipper Greg Chappell believes the youngster will struggle in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final between India and Australia.
The right-handed batsman has truly announced his arrival at the highest stage of the game by delivering some monumental performances in the ongoing year. He began the year by smashing two centuries and a double century in ODIs as well as a T20I century this year. It was followed by his maiden Test century which came against Australia.
In the recently-concluded IPL 2023, Shubman Gill further bolstered his reputation by finishing the tournament as the highest run-scorer. The right-handed batsman scored 890 runs with the help of 3 centuries and 4 fifties to help Gujarat Titans finish runner-up. He will now be looking to perform in overseas conditions too when he opens the innings against Australia in the upcoming ICC WTC Final.
Greg Chappell on Shubman Gill:
Speaking on Backstage with Boria, Greg Chappell said that Shubman Gill will have trouble dealing with the Australian pacers in English conditions. The legendary cricketer opined that the India opener will find coping with the extra bounce and pace tough.
“I don’t wanna go into too much detail but I’m sure the Australians must have seen a couple of things that I have seen,” said Chappell.
There are little things that Shubman does a few things early in his innings that make him vulnerable to that length around off stump and if the ball bounces a little bit extra, he will susceptible to nicking off behind the wicket. But he’s a very good player. If they don’t bowl, he will punish them,” he added.
Speaking further, Chappell named the Australia pacer who can trouble Gill. The former India head coach said that left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc could make life difficult for Gill, saying: “Gill has been to England before. He will struggle like anyone in English conditions if the Australians bowl well. The bowlers who will trouble him most are the ones who get that extra pace like Mitchell Starc. That can worry anyone. The extra pace gets good players out.
“The extra bit of bounce also gets good players out and I think if Hazlewood is fit to play then he can be a problem for Shubman. If Hazlewood doesn’t play then Boland will most likely play and he’s another bowler who can trouble anyone. He bowls a good line. He knows what a good length can be in English conditions,” he added.
The ICC WTC Final is scheduled to be played at the Oval in London from June 7. India will be desperate to win the upcoming clash after losing against New Zealand in the first WTC Final a couple of years ago.
Also Read: Watch Photos As Ruturaj Gaikwad Ties Knot With Utkarsha Pawar