Shubman Gill, an all-format player, will find it difficult to adjust to all three formats, according to former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar. An all-format series consisting of two Test matches, three ODIs, and five T20Is would pit India against South Africa.
Nayar emphasised how players begin to consider their strike rate and the way each format must be played as soon as they are consistently included in teams that play a variety of formats. Nayar’s remarks regarding Shubman Gill after the top-order batsman’s lacklustre transition from Tests to the white-ball format, in which he was unable to convert opportunities in the just finished T20I series against Australia.
“It’s not easy. No matter how much we discuss, for any player, when you play a format for a long time, it becomes easy for you as you get used to it. When you switch between formats, at times you think about increasing your strike rate. When you come here, you will have to bring your strike rate down. You have to take your time,” said Nayar while chatting about JioHotstar’s
According to the former assistant coach for India, Gill’s strategy will determine how he responds to the strain of expectations. He praised the 26-year-old’s development as a batsman and captain throughout the latter’s historic England trip.
“Workload management is a thing that’s been sidelined for Shubman for now because he’s playing cricket continuously. He won’t complain. It remains to be seen what his mentality will be. He’ll once again be in the leadership role. According to me, it’ll be difficult. He’s been phenomenal. I remember going into the England series, (there were) so many questions. From the first game to the last game, you not only saw Shubman the batter evolve, but you also saw Shubman Gill the leader evolve,” he responded.
Shubman Gill visit to Australia was not the best.
He didn’t score a fifty during the entire tour, and his performances in every game were poor. Even during India’s successful 2025 Asia Cup campaign, he did not appear at his best, amassing a mere 127 runs in seven games.
The South Africa series’ opening Test match is scheduled to start at Eden Gardens on November 14. The way the India captain leads the squad and performs during the Tests and ODIs will be closely watched.
India
