Shubman Gill's batting flaw explained: Yograj Singh recommends Adam Gilchrist's unconventional yet effective method

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There is an interesting piece of advice given to Shubman Gill by Yograj Singh, the father of Yuvraj Singh. The experienced coach and former Indian cricketer suggested Gill should adopt an unconvetional yet effective method that did wonders for Aussie great Adam Gilchrist.

To jog the reader's mind, southpaw Gilchrist famously scored a century in the 2007 World Cup final while putting half of a squash ball on the palm of his bottom-hand glove. The method left fans around the globe perplexed on how something between your gloves and bat could feel comfortable and yet the Australian legend smashed a century with it. Speaking to myKhel, Yograj Singh dissects the method and how it's a quick-fix for Shubman Gill's solution.

The idea behind placing a squash ball on the right palm and wearing gloves is likely to reduce the involvement of the bottom hand, something that the 66-year-old coach believes his former protege's problem. The method could encourage Shubman Gill to rely more on his top hand for better control and balance in his shots.

The bottom hand often plays a dominant role in generating power, but sometimes too much reliance on it can lead to inconsistency, particularly in playing shots like drives all around the pitch. By limiting the use of the bottom hand, the focus shifts towards using the top hand, which provides better placement, control, reach and finesse while also helping with timing.

This type of drill, commonly used by players looking to improve their technique, can be beneficial in making a batsman more disciplined and precise in their shot-making, as it encourages a smoother, more refined stroke production. "I have repeatedly told him to avoid using the bottom hand all the time. You can't go against the basics of the game," Yograj said during an exclusive chat.

There has been significant attention on Gill's recent form, particularly in Test cricket away from Asia. Despite his undeniable talent and impressive performances in white-ball cricket, Gill has struggled to replicate that consistency in the longer format, especially in overseas conditions.

Shubman Gill has shown glimpses of brilliance but there have been inconsistencies, particularly in conditions that are more challenging for batsmen like those in England, South Africa, and New Zealand. This inconsistency is something the selectors and fans have been eagerly looking to see him overcome.

His inclusion as vice-captain in white-ball formats is a testament to his potential and leadership qualities, but it also adds pressure on him to step up in all formats, especially in Test cricket, where India is looking for solid and reliable performances, especially with the challenges of overseas tours.

The mounting pressure to deliver is understandable, given his talent and the expectations on him as one of India's brightest young batsmen. It's possible that the technical adjustments, like the one suggested by Yograj Singh, could help him become more disciplined in his approach, especially against fast bowling and on challenging pitches. However, for Gill to cement his place in the Test side and live up to his potential, he will need to find a way to adapt to varying conditions and produce consistent, match-winning performances on the international stage.

His journey in Test cricket is still ongoing, and it's not uncommon for young players to take time to find their rhythm in the longer format, especially with the added pressures of international cricket. "If Gill can fix his problem of playing bottom-hand shots, his entire alignment will improve. He is a much better player if he is able to solve this problem," Yograj suggested while adding that Gill has to spend more time doing the right things in the nets to overcome this problem.