NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has delivered a stark critique of the national team’s batting struggles, highlighting Shubman Gill’s ongoing lack of form as a growing concern. According to Pathan, Gill’s slump is creating pressure not only on himself but also on the team management, which is increasingly unsure about how to address the issue beyond hoping it doesn’t worsen.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Pathan noted that even reinstating Sanju Samson, who previously bolstered India’s T20 batting lineup, might not be a quick fix. Samson would need time to regain his rhythm after being out of the side.
‘Shubman Gill is too tight’: India coach sounds alarm ahead of T20 World Cup
Samson had been a successful T20 opener before Gill took over the role. Now, as T20 vice-captain and the captain in Tests and ODIs, Gill has struggled to find his touch in the shortest format, most recently being dismissed for a duck in India’s second T20I against South Africa on Thursday in Mullanpur.
“Shubman Gill will say he got a very good ball and looked stuck at the crease. For captain Suryakumar Yadav, I felt he needs to focus on his offside play. He was completely out of position when he got out…if Gill was in form, he would have played that ball easily. He is not in form,” Pathan said.
“The runs not coming from Gill’s bat is a bad sign and increases the pressure on him and the team management. They will be asking what to do. This situation should not get worse.
“If the runs still don’t come, you can’t just bring Sanju Samson back and expect him to perform, if he is also rusty. There are many questions. If they go back to Samson, it becomes very important for him to score runs,” he added.
He also highlighted the struggles of captain Suryakumar Yadav, noting that he has yet to register a significant score since assuming the leadership role.
“Surya will be under pressure because he’s the captain and as a captain, your slot in the playing 11 is secured automatically. As a player, if you haven’t scored runs in a year, you are under pressure.
“His form has to come back before the World Cup (in February-March next year). He needs the right batting position and better shot selection. Surya has shown a pattern of playing straight balls to the leg side and getting out,” he pointed out.
“When you’re not scoring, you should try to play in the off-side and in front. He has the skill to bring the ball in front of his eyes and use the pace, that’s how he will start scoring again.”
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