In a resolute display of backing his players, Indian coach Rahul Dravid has come forward to defend the struggling Shubman Gill during the ongoing West Indies tour. Despite experiencing a dip in form, Gill’s previous exceptional performances have solidified his position as a first-choice pick in all three formats of the sport, earning him praise from cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The year 2023 had been a remarkable one for the young batting sensation, with Gill showcasing his talent in top form from the very beginning. He started the year with a bang, scoring magnificent hundreds in all formats, including an impressive double century in the ODI format.
His brilliance continued into the IPL 2023 season, where he emerged as the proud recipient of the prestigious Orange Cap for scoring an astounding 890 runs in 17 matches. This remarkable feat further cemented his status as an invaluable asset for India in all formats of the game. However, despite his stellar track record, Gill’s form took an unexpected nosedive during the West Indies tour. Placed in the pivotal position of batting at No.3, replacing the seasoned Cheteshwar Pujara, the young batsman struggled to find his footing in the challenging conditions of the Caribbean.
During the Test series, he managed to score a mere 45 runs in three innings, and in the first ODI against the West Indies, he could only muster seven runs. Despite showing promise in the second ODI by scoring 34 runs, Gill was unable to convert it into a substantial score, and India’s batting lineup faltered, leading to a loss. Following the defeat, Rahul Dravid, known for his composed and insightful approach, was quick to quell any doubts surrounding Gill’s form.
The coach firmly stated that it was not fair to criticize players after every single game, and he had complete faith in Gill’s abilities. Emphasizing the youngster’s importance in all three formats of the game for India, Dravid expressed optimism that Gill would soon find his rhythm and deliver a strong performance in Trinidad.
“It can happen. I mean, you can’t criticize people after every single game. These things can happen. It is tough, It’s not easy batting conditions. We needed to grind it out and fight it out there. We probably didn’t do that during the middle overs. But Shubman has been batting well. He is a very important part of all three formats in the game for us. Hopefully, he will have a good game in Trinidad,” Dravid said in support of Gill. The backing from the coach is undoubtedly a morale booster for the young batter, who is eager to regain his form and make a significant impact in the remainder of the tour. As the cricketing world watches with bated breath, Gill’s determination and talent will be put to the test in the upcoming matches, and his ability to overcome this challenging phase will undoubtedly shape his career and future contributions to Indian cricket.