Ravi Shastri Warns of Cheteshwar Pujara’s Looming Presence as Shubman Gill Struggles to Capitalize on Promising Starts

Indian cricket’s rising star, Shubman Gill, once hailed as the ‘Prince’ for his stellar performances, is currently facing a challenging phase in his career. Despite displaying good timing and shot execution, his recent innings of 34 runs against England in the 2nd Test hinted at underlying issues in his batting, raising concerns about his form.

Gill’s cricketing journey has seen a downturn in the last 12 months, particularly after his recovery from dengue during the World Cup. His batting has witnessed significant drops in high scores and an increase in low ones, indicating a struggle to maintain consistency at the crease. The team management’s decision to shift him to number three, replacing the resilient Cheteshwar Pujara, seems to be a work in progress.

Former coach Ravi Shastri, without directly naming anyone, issued a timely reminder to the young players competing for a spot in India’s playing XI. While not explicitly directed at Gill, Shastri’s reference to Pujara waiting in the wings serves as a call to action for the struggling batter. Shastri highlighted Pujara’s remarkable form in domestic cricket, consistently scoring runs for Saurashtra, as evidence of his readiness to reclaim his spot.

“It’s a fresh side, a young side. These youngsters have to prove themselves. Don’t forget, Pujara is waiting. He is grinding it out at the Ranji Trophy and is always in the radar,” Shastri commented during his stint on commentary.

Despite the management’s focus on nurturing young talent, Shastri emphasized the irreplaceable value of Pujara’s experience, especially in home conditions. Gill’s recent performances at number three highlight the challenges he faces, prompting Shastri to stress the importance of patience and adaptability in Test cricket.

“It’s a Test match; you’ve got to stay out there. Otherwise, you’ll get into all sorts of problems. You’re going with those hard hands, reaching out at the ball. Especially with someone of Anderson’s class,” Shastri added, shedding light on the nuances of Test cricket.

As Gill strives to regain his form and consistency, Shastri’s warning serves as a reminder of the competition for places in the Indian team and the need for players to seize their opportunities.

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