[Watch] Shubman Gill bowled offering no shot to Navdeep Saini in 2024 Duleep Trophy
India A captain Shubman Gill made a complete misjudgment to be cleaned up by pacer Navdeep Saini on Day 2 of the 2024 Duleep Trophy opener against India B at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Gill marshaled his troops well to restrict India B to a moderate 321 in their first innings despite a breathtaking century by Musheer Khan.
In reply, openers Gill and Mayank Agarwal got India A off to an excellent start at 57/0 in the 14th over. However, in the final ball of Saini's second over (14th of the innings), Gill left a good length delivery that nipped back in to rattle his off-stump.
Here is a video of Gill's dismissal:
Shubman Gill was in sparkling form before his dismissal on 25 from 43 deliveries with three boundaries. Saini also removed Gill's opening partner Agarwal in his next over for 36 to reduce India A to 66/2.
Riyan Parag and KL Rahul have since added 13 runs to take India A's score to 79/2 in 20 overs.
"I worked on my defense a little bit more especially against the spinners" - Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill admitted before the start of the Duleep Trophy that his Test performances haven't been up to par and that he has been constantly working on his defense against the spinners this year.
The 24-year-old has been a revelation in ODIs for India over the past two years but has struggled in the long format, averaging only 35.52 in 25 outings.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the ongoing Duleep Trophy opener, he said:
"Yes, I've not been up to my own expectations ([n Test cricket]. But we have ten Tests coming up together. Hopefully, after these ten Tests end, I'd be up to my expectations or more. 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."
After a lean patch, Gill finally struck form after the first Test of the India-England home series at the start of 2024. The stylish batter scored 395 runs at an average of almost 80 with two centuries in the final four Tests of the series.