Gautam Gambhir Shuts Down Shubman Gill Haters: “Those Who Has Doubts Cannot Understand Cricket”

To Gautam Gambhir's delight, Shubman Gill now has nine hundreds in the World Test Championship era, equaling Rohit Sharma's record.

Gautam Gambhir Shuts Down Shubman Gill Haters: “Those Who Has Doubts Cannot Understand Cricket”

Gautam Gambhir slammed Shubman Gill's critics, stating they have no knowledge of cricket. (via FirstPost)

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India head coach Gautam Gambhir hit out at captain Shubman Gill’s critics after the end of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. Gambhir confidently asserted that the people who doubted Gill’s abilities and talent do not understand cricket at all. 

Shubman Gill is having a series to remember against England, which is in fact his very first assignment as India’s newly appointed Test captain. He did well in the first two Tests, scoring a hundred at Headingley, followed by a record-breaking display at Edgbaston. In the second Test, he scored 269 runs in the first innings, and followed it up with 161 in the second innings, to guide the team to a 336-run victory. 

The 25-year-old, in the fourth Test match at Old Trafford, brought up his fourth hundred of the series, while batting at a crucial phase in the second innings. Gill’s hundred, combined with the centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, enabled the Men in Blue salvage a hard-fought draw.

With his fourth hundred, Gill became only the third Indian batter, after Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli to hit four hundreds in a Test series, while also elevating his series tally to 722 runs in eight innings.

Even as Gill shattered multiple records, he faced criticism before his second innings at Old Trafford. After scoring just 16 and 6 in the third Test, followed by a dismissal for 12 in the first innings of the fourth Test, critics questioned the Indian captain’s abilities on pitches that offered little help to batters. His leadership decisions were also scrutinized, especially after England amassed over 600 runs.

However, following India’s draw in Manchester, Shubman Gill received strong support from head coach Gautam Gambhir. Speaking at the post-match press conference, the 43-year-old sharply criticized Gill’s critics, confidently asserting that the team management never doubted his capabilities. Gambhir further declared that the Indian dressing room was not surprised by Gill’s second innings at Old Trafford, where he scored 103 runs off 238 balls.

First of all, there should be no doubt over Shubman Gill’s talent. No one in this dressing room is surprised by what Shubman has done.

Gautam Gambhir at the post-match press conference (H/T: India Today)

Furthermore, Gambhir asserted that anyone who doubted the young Team India captain only knows how to talk about cricket. He controversially jabbed at the critics, claiming they lack a proper understanding or knowledge of the sport. Gambhir added that those who truly understand Gill, recognize his talent, his ability to meet expectations, and how well he can perform under pressure.

Anyone who doubts it only knows how to talk about cricket, not understand it… Those who truly understand the game have always recognised the ability he possesses.

It remains to be seen whether Gill can maintain his excellent form in the upcoming final Test at The Oval. The fifth Test, which is scheduled to begin on July 31, offers the Men in Blue a crucial opportunity to draw the series 2-2 against England.

Australian Legend Calls Out Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill for Hindering Young Indian Talent

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting raised concerns about the Indian team’s handling of young players, specifically Sai Sudharsan, in the ongoing Test series against England. Ponting blamed Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill for hindering the Tamil Nadu batter’s development.

Ricky Ponting slams Shubman Gill Gautam Gambhir
Ricky Ponting slammed Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir for hindering Sai Sudharsan’s development. (via India Today)

Sai Sudharsan’s debut red-ball tour for India against England has seen him in and out of the playing XI. In his two appearances, he has scored 91 runs, but also recorded two ducks. His subsequent exclusion after the Headingley defeat has led Ponting to suggest that the team’s inconsistent selection strategy might be creating unnecessary pressure on young Indian players attempting to prove themselves.

It just creates internal pressure, the pressure a youngster doesn’t need or someone coming in doesn’t need looking over their shoulders on if they will get another opportunity.

Ricky Ponting talked on Sky Sports (H/T One India)

The Australian cricket legend further stressed that promising young talents such as Sudharsan need consistent support and assurance of a spot in the playing XI for a considerable time. Nonetheless, it is uncertain if the 23-year-old will be selected for the final Test, at The Oval.