"It's been 16 innings where you haven't crossed 40 outside Asia" - Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill's cheap dismissal in BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Aakash Chopra has noted that Shubman Gill has endured a prolonged lean run in Tests outside Asia. He added that the stylish batter's numbers are a concern, considering he currently occupies the crucial No. 3 position in India's lineup.
Gill was dismissed for one as India were reduced to 51/4 in their first innings of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 third Test in Brisbane on Monday, December 16. The visitors had bowled Australia out for 445 earlier on Day 3.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener pointed out that Gill added another chapter to his underwhelming Test performances outside Asia.
"We will have to talk about Shubman Gill. It's been 16 innings where you haven't crossed 40 outside Asia. You have been dismissed for single digits or early double digits many times. If your scores are like this and you bat at No. 3 for Team India in Test cricket, it's a problem, and it will be discussed as well," he said (6:15).
Chopra opined that an overaggressive approach is hampering not only Gill but virtually every Indian batter, including Yashasvi Jaiswal.
"He was looking good in the last match. The problem is not with Gill alone. It's a symptomatic problem of the entire playing style. Yashasvi Jaiswal drove the first ball hard. He might be unlucky that his shot found a fielder on the second ball, but the first ball could have also gone to gully's hand," he observed.
Chopra was particularly disappointed with Gill's shot selection which led to his dismissal.
"Shubman Gill came and played a booming drive. When it comes off, it looks good, but there are great chances of it going behind the wickets. You are so used to throwing your hands that you don't wish to stop," he elaborated.
Chopra pointed out that players choose either a defensive or an aggressive approach when confronted with a challenge. He noted that the modern Indian batters generally take the aggressive route because of the success they have enjoyed with that approach in white-ball cricket.
"This is a white-ball symptom and it is troubling everyone, including Shubman Gill" - Aakash Chopra on batters playing away from the body
![Shubman Gill was bowled by Mitchell Starc in India's second innings of the Adelaide Test. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/7a0b6-17343572498937-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Shubman Gill's tendency to play with his hands away from the body led to his dismissals in Adelaide and Brisbane.
"The modes of dismissals, whether it was the incoming ball in the pink-ball game that hit his stumps, there also you played away from the body, and here also you played away from the body. This is a white-ball symptom and it is troubling everyone, including Shubman Gill," he said (8:00).
The analyst added that India need youngsters like Gill and Jaiswal to be among the runs.
"If we are saying that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are on their way out, their best is behind and not ahead of them, it's going to be a problem if the next generation, which includes Yashasvi and Shubman Gill, doesn't score runs," Chopra reasoned.
Chopra pointed out that the problems with the batting techniques need to be addressed. He highlighted that India will be touring England next year to start their campaign in the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.