Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed concerns over Shubman Gill’s record in overseas Test matches, especially in SENA countries, after the batter failed to make an impact in the 1st Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
India lost the Boxing Day Test match by an innings and 32 runs against South Africa inside three days. Gill, who is often touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, couldn’t deliver with the bat as India suffered an annihilating defeat for South Africa to go 1-0 up in the series.
“I am talking about Shubman Gill here because he is referred to as the Prince of Indian cricket. For the Prince to become King, he has to walk the tight rope and improve his numbers in SENA countries. There is a lot of difference in his numbers in Asia and in SENA countries. Of course, a very young career but you have to conquer SENA countries to become the King,” Chopra said.
Gill averages 39.25 in Tests in Asia and that drops to 25.43 when it comes to SENA countries. In his three-year-old Test career, Gill has played seven Tests outside Asia and managed to score 375 runs with the highest score of 91 against Australia.
Despite his success in white-ball cricket, Gill struggled to translate the same in the red-ball format. The batter has come under scrutiny by experts for his performance in the longest format. The second Test will be crucial for India and Gill, who would look to change his mediocre overseas Test record.
