IND vs ENG: Shubman Gill's failure at number three continues, should India worry?

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IND vs ENG: Shubman Gill flunked in Test cricket once again on Sunday, January 28. The leading run-scorer in ODI cricket in 2023 failed as India's number three Test batter once again.

After England set India a 231-run target to win the first Test match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India openers forged a solid 42-run partnership. However, the pressure soon increased after Shubman Gill followed Yashasvi Jaiswal with a 2-ball duck.

India could never recover from the blow and were soon reduced to 119/7. While the collapse could not all alone be blamed on the right-hander, his continued failure at number three, and underwhelming performances in Test cricket is bound to become a topic of discussion.

India have been lucky to have solid batters at number three for almost two decades. Current Team India head coach Rahul Dravid occupied the spot with a lot of grit and determination. India were lucky enough to have his successor in Cheteshwar Pujara who was later called ' The Second Wall' of Indian cricket.

The 35-year-old veteran pacer, who would grind himself in the middle - spinning and pacer-friendly surfaces both - finds himself out of the team with the team focussing on next generation of Indian Test batters.

However, Gill is yet to find his mojo at number three and Test cricket in general. The Punjab batter averages 61.37 in ODI cricket, but after 21 Test matches, he finds himself with 1040 runs at an average of 30.58.

Gill has always wanted to play at number three in Test cricket but his three matches at the position has made it certain that he is undercooked for the coveted spot which needs a batter with strong technique and mental strength.

Sanjay Manjrekar pointed at Gill's chink in the armour after he got out for 23 in the first innings. He said the 24-year-old would have to learn to manoeuvre the ball and not just defend with a straight bat. Sunil Gavaskar had earlier said that Gill will have to come up with a better mindset to give India a strong support in that position.

Gill has scores of 6, 10, 29*, 2, 26, 36, 10, 23 and 0 ever since he started to bat on number three. The repeated failure has now raised eyebrows. Problems for him are set to increase as his duck in the second innings of the first Test against England increased the pressure on India despite a good start.

IND vs ENG: Is Shubman Gill's form a concern for India?

Yes, it is. India should be worried as the series against England consists of five Test matches. The batters would be tested under spinning conditions, and a solid number three would have to anchor the innings. Only time will now tell If India made a mistake by not picking in-form Pujara for the series.