'Not Been Up to My Own Expectations': Shubman Gill on His Test Struggles and What He Has Improved

Shubman Gill, one of India’s brightest young cricketing talents, is all set to lead India A in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which begins on September 5. As he gears up for this crucial fixture, Gill has candidly reflected on his recent struggles in Test cricket and the steps he has taken to improve his game.

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Shubman Gill on his struggles

Shubman Gill, who has shown flashes of brilliance in the longest format of the game, admits that his performances have fallen short of his own expectations. "Yes, I've not been up to my own expectations in Test cricket," Gill confessed. "But we have ten Tests coming up together. Hopefully, after these ten Tests end, I'd be up to my expectations or more."

The 24-year-old opener’s honesty reflects the pressure and expectations that come with representing India at the highest level. Despite being one of the most promising talents in Indian cricket, Gill has faced challenges in consistently translating his potential into big scores, particularly in the Test arena. His average in Test cricket, though respectable, hasn't quite mirrored the lofty standards he set for himself early in his career.

One of the key areas Shubman Gill has focused on improving is his defense, especially against spinners on turning tracks. "I worked on my defence a little bit more, especially against the spinners. Playing on turning tracks, you should be able to defend a lot more. Then you play scoring shots," he explained.

Gill's emphasis on defense highlights the challenges faced by modern batsmen, who often juggle different formats of the game. With the increasing emphasis on T20 cricket and frequent exposure to batting-friendly tracks in limited-overs cricket, maintaining a strong defensive technique can sometimes be difficult. Gill acknowledged this challenge, noting, “With more T20 and playing on batting-friendly tracks in the white ball, I feel it takes away a little from your defensive game over a period of time.”

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As he prepares to lead India A in the Duleep Trophy, Gill’s focus will be on translating these improvements into consistent performances. The upcoming ten Test matches present a significant opportunity for him to not only meet his own expectations but also to solidify his place as a mainstay in India’s Test lineup.