Several players of the Indian cricket team have been at the center of intense scrutiny following their defeat to Australia, marking the end of a decade-long dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Among the key targets of criticism is Shubman Gill, whose persistent struggles with the bat emerged as one of the series’ defining low points. As pressure mounts for significant changes within the Indian team, Gill’s continued selection has become a contentious issue. Adding fuel to the fire, former Indian batter S. Badrinath has intensified the debate, delivering sharp and pointed criticism of Gill’s performances, taking the discourse to a whole new level.
S. Badrinath furious with Shubman Gill’s performance in BGT 2024-25
The young Indian top-order batter had a silent trip to Australia with the bat. The team expected Gill to display temperament and disturb the wicket-taking rhythm of Australian bowlers. On the contrary, Gill became a walking wicket for the Aussies which further added pressure on middle order batters. As a result, the entire Indian batting unit suffered throughout the series.
Badrinath, while talking to Star Sports Tamil, pointed out several major issues in Gill’s batting and made a sensational remark on the youngster signalling that talent may not be the only reason for Gill’s persistent selection in the squad.
“If this was Shubman Gill from Tamil Nadu, he would have been dropped,” the former Indian cricketer remarked. Badrinath further pointed out the below-par performances from Gill in Australia and lack of intent from the youngster. Badrinath who has featured for the Indian team in for seven ODIs, two Tests and one T20I, additionally highlighted that he wanted Gill to tire out bowlers and make the ball old even if runs were not coming. But nothing of that sort happened throughout the series.
“You must not go there and say, oh, this is the way I play. I will stand and deliver. Whatever you can do, at that time, you try to do. In this series, I did not get it from Shubman. Even on the field, he was poor. He couldn’t stay in slip and point. What does he contribute to the team?,” Badrinath asked.
The 25-year-old is expected to feature in the Indian team for the Champions Trophy 2025 but his consecutive failure to score big runs has made his selection difficult.
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A series to forget for Gill
Gill had a dreadful Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The young top-order batter scored 93 runs in 5 innings throughout the series with a highest score of 31 runs in Adelaide. The batting nightmare from Gill is evident from the fact that Australian pacer Mitchell Starc and Beau Webster who played only one Test match in Sydney scored more runs in the series than Gill.
The horror-show from Gill is not only restricted to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. His performance in the longest format of the game has been a constant concern. Gill’s performance during the home series against New Zealand has not been up to the mark. Apart from a 90-run knock at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Gill could only only score meagre runs against the Blackcaps.
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