"That's why left-arm spinners are introduced once he comes to bat" - Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill's dismissal in IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Aakash Chopra has noted that Shubman Gill's technical issues against left-arm spin were once again exposed in India's first innings of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. He pointed out that opposition sides invariably introduce left-arm spinners into the attack once he walks out to bat.
Gill scored 30 runs off 72 deliveries as India were bundled out for 156 in their first innings on Friday, October 25. New Zealand were 198/5 in their second innings at Stumps, with a lead of 301 runs heading into the third day.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Chopra was asked whether Gill's dismissal can be attributed to a technical issue or the quality of bowling.
"There is no doubt that it's a technical issue. You shouldn't hide behind the bowler's quality. Neither will he hide nor should we hide behind that and speak. The ball was good, it was delivered at the right spot and went straight. It didn't happen for the first time. There was an appeal earlier as well where the bat stays along with the pad and doesn't come forward," he responded.
"This has been a cause for concern for him. We saw him getting troubled like this in Indore against Matthew Kuhnemann. It's a problem that the left-arm spinners trouble him, and that's why left-arm spinners are introduced once he comes to bat," the former India opener added.
Mitchell Santner trapped Shubman Gill in front of the wickets with a delivery that went straight through and crashed into his pads. The Kiwi left-arm spinner had a similar appeal turned down earlier, with the ball-tracking system showing umpire's call on the leg stump after the visitors went for a review.
"When a pattern starts getting created, you have to work on it" - Pragyan Ojha on Shubman Gill's dismissal
![Shubman Gill added 49 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal for the second wicket before his dismissal. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/35a45-17298627604303-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, Pragyan Ojha was asked what Shubman Gill could have done better.
"If you are not playing that confidently, you have to shorten your backlift and bring the bat down as early as possible. I felt he got slightly late in bringing the bat and by the time it came, the ball had done its job. He will have to pay a little attention to this because when a pattern starts getting created, you have to work on it," he replied.
The former India spinner added that every opposition will make similar plans against the stylish batter until he rectifies the issue.
"If you are getting stuck in the same thing consistently, something is not happening right, and all teams are watching that. If you don't work on this, the other teams will start planning around it. They might give you a few fours and sixes but will not remove the fielder in front of you, and keep bowling like that," Ojha noted.
Gill's dismissal reduced India to 50/2 in their first innings. The hosts then lost their last eight wickets for 106 runs to concede a 103-run first-innings lead.