Anil Kumble calls for Shubman Gill to make use of 'extra cushion'

Shubman Gill, at 24, finds himself under mounting pressure after a tough outing in the Hyderabad Test against England. His struggles in the longest format continue, with an average dipping below 30 after 21 matches. The recent loss has only amplified the scrutiny, adding further weight to concerns about his suitability for Test cricket. While he's likely to retain his spot for the next Test in Vizag, another disappointing performance could spell trouble, potentially jeopardizing his place in the side.

The presence of Rajat Patidar in the squad and Sarfaraz Khan's recent inclusion opens the door for an immediate change too. Only time will tell if Gill gets another crack for now.

Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble weighed in on Shubman Gill's struggles after the Hyderabad Test, suggesting that Gill has enjoyed more leeway than even veteran Cheteshwar Pujara did. Speaking to the host broadcaster, JioCinema, Kumble emphasized the need for Gill to convert his potential into big scores in Vizag, stating that while he possesses the skills, there's work to be done.

"He has been given the cushion perhaps even a Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t get, because although he has played over 100 Tests, I keep coming back to him mainly because that was his place not too long ago. Pujara played in that World Test Championship final and post that, it’s been Shubman Gill, who’s been moving from the opener’s slot, and he himself wanted to bat at No. 3. So, when you want to bat at No. 3 especially in India because you have that talent, you certainly need to work on your game. He has the skills, he is young and he’s learning, but he needs to do it in Vizag, otherwise, the pressure will be on him," he said.

"India need to buckle up"

On the bowling front, Kumble expressed hesitation about including a fourth spinner in Vizag but added that Kuldeep Yadav's variety could help. He urged India to sharpen their game against spin, emphasizing the importance of sound footwork and better application

“I am not really sure whether you need a fourth spinner. But if India feel that they need only one fast bowler then having Kuldeep will certainly help. He will have variations but England will come and do the same things they did in Hyderabad. The wicket could be a turning one and we are expecting the pace to be quicker than this. This was slow but it was a good wicket if you applied yourself. India certainly need to buckle up with their approach to playing against spin because I felt the approach of a couple of batters wasn’t positive and even the footwork wasn’t what you expected,"he added.