IPL debutants Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants played out a thriller on Monday (March 28) with the former side emerging victorious in their opening game. The Titans chased down 159 runs in the final over of the innings courtesy some good hitting from Rahul Tewatia and David Miller. However, things were not as cozy […]
IPL debutants Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants played out a thriller on Monday (March 28) with the former side emerging victorious in their opening game. The Titans chased down 159 runs in the final over of the innings courtesy some good hitting from Rahul Tewatia and David Miller.
However, things were not as cozy at the start. GT got off to a disastrous start to their chase with Shubman Gill throwing his wicket away in the very first over off Dushmantha Chameera. Gill came down the track to smash the bowler too early in his innings and paid the price.
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has come down hard at the cricketer for the same reason and stated that Gill is a much better ODI player. He felt that the youngster needs to focus on his basics and play normal cricket instead of trying to play big shots right from the start.
“I think he is a better ODI player. Because in T20 cricket, players who can hit boundaries at will inside the Powerplay, succeed. That is what he needs to work on. He has given statements and said that I have learned some cheeky shots, but with his batting, he does not need to play cheeky shots. Even if he plays normal cricket, he can give a better start,” Sehwag said while speaking to Cricbuzz.
Virender Sehwag cited examples of himself, Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir who also succeeded in the IPL opening the innings without playing any kind of cheeky shots. The 43-year-old advised Gill to take his time early on like Ayush Badoni and Deepak Hooda did before going for big shots.
“He should not forget that when T20 cricket comes around, he either plays too fast or too slow. Last year, he had a strike rate of 120 and we thought that he should increase it. This year, I hope he does not start at 150 and goes off track. Strike rate can be improved while playing normally which Badoni and Hooda showed.
“But Gill needs to get there. He scores 25-30 runs and gets out. Strike rate will increase once you reach 60, 70, or 80. That is when you can play freely. Did Sachin Tendulkar or I or Gautam Gambhir as openers play those cheeky shots. I don’t think so. You can score runs before being cheeky and score quickly,” Sehwag added.
