New Delhi: Former India batter and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has heavily criticised Team India star Shubman Gill over his poor show in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. Highlighting his poor performances outside Asia, Srikkanth called Gill a ‘highly overrated’ cricketer while urging India to replace him with Sai Sudharsan or Ruturaj Gaikwad in Tests.
Barring Yashasvi Jaiswal, none of the Indian batters managed to perform consistently in the five-match Test series against Australia. The likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja showed flashes of brilliance but were far from consistent. On the other hand, senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma endured a woeful campaign as they failed to make any impact whatsoever.
The expectations were high from Gill after his impressive show in Australia on India’s last tour Down Under. However, the 25-year-old, who has often been dubbed as the next big thing in Indian cricket, flopped massively with only 93 runs from three Tests. Gill was dropped from the playing XI for the 4th Test in Melbourne to make way for Rohit as an opener and Rahul at no.3.
Reacting to Gill’s poor show in Australia, Srikkanth questioned the batter’s credentials outside of India and called him overrated. “I’ve always maintained that Shubman Gill is an overrated cricketer, but nobody listened to me. He is a highly overrated cricketer,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Srikkanth urges India to pick Ruturaj Gaikwad or Sai Sudharsan
Despite having received consistent backing from the selectors and the Indian team management, Gill has failed to repay the trust shown in him as his performances overseas in Tests have been below par. Since 2022, Gill has managed only 264 runs in 16 innings outside India at an abysmal average of 17.6. Questioning the long rope given to Gill, Srikanth urged the selectors to pick the likes of Gaikwad and Suadharsan in the Test team.
“When Gill is getting such a long rope, some people might wonder why even players like Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t have been given a longer run in Tests. Suryakumar didn’t have the best start in Tests, but he has the technique and ability. Yet, the selectors and management have boxed him into being a white-ball specialist. So now, fresh talent needs to be looked at,” said the former India chief selector.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad, for instance, has been performing brilliantly in first-class cricket, but he hasn’t been picked. Similarly, Sai Sudharsan has been outstanding on ‘A’ tours. These are the players who should be promoted. Instead, the selectors are stuck in a loop with Gill,” he added.
Former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth called Shubman Gill a highly overrated batter, urging India to pick the likes of Sai Sudharshan and Ruturaj Gaikwad in Tests. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
