India vs England 2nd Test: Veteran spinner Pragyan Ojha expressed disappointment for Shubman Gill, following the youngster’s dismissal on Day 1 of the 2nd Test against England. Despite a promising start, Gill fell short of converting it into a substantial score, leaving Ojha concerned about the pressure the young opener might be facing.
Shubman Gill, looking fluent with 34 runs and a 40-run partnership with Rohit Sharma, surprisingly edged a James Anderson delivery to the wicketkeeper. This dismissal, according to Ojha, highlighted the immense potential Gill possesses, making the missed opportunity even more frustrating.
“He would be extremely disappointed,” Ojha stated to Cineplex, acknowledging Gill’s recent struggles in Test cricket. “He got a start, played well, but couldn’t convert it. The ball he played was uncharacteristic of him in Test cricket.”
Shubman Gill under pressure
Ojha pointed towards the potential pressure Shubman Gill might be feeling, considering the imminent return of established openers Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. “He might have felt the heat coming into the game, knowing the attention will shift towards them once they return,” he explained.
Shubman Gill’s recent form hasn’t been ideal, scoring only 207 runs in his last seven Tests with an average of 18.81. The lack of a fifty in his last 12 innings adds to the burden on his shoulders.
However, Day 1 wasn’t entirely negative for India. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s magnificent 179-run knock kept the hosts in a strong position at stumps, with R Ashwin providing him crucial support.
While Shubman Gill dismissal might be a cause for concern, India still has hope in Jaiswal and the lower order to build a significant first-innings total. Only time will tell if Gill can bounce back and silence his critics in the remaining innings.
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