NEW DELHI: Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth has emphasized the need for young batsman Shubman Gill to perform consistently in diverse cricketing conditions globally to fulfill the expectations surrounding him in international cricket.
Ahead of India's second Test against South Africa in Cape Town, where the team trails 0-1, Srikkanth shared his views on Gill's progress in the longer format.
"Shubman Gill has to perform well across the world. Scoring runs in the sub-continent alone does not help. He has to score runs overseas," stated Srikkanth on his YouTube channel.
Drawing comparisons with cricketing stalwart Virat Kohli, Srikkanth highlighted the importance of achieving success across different formats and conditions.
"Why are we calling Virat Kohli, the King? Look at his record, even in the last year, be it Test matches, ODI or T20Is. Just look at his records. I have nothing more to say. Yes, I accept you cannot produce a Virat Kohli every time. Everybody cannot be producing Virat Kohli (Kohli-like numbers). But you have to try and get to at least a bit of that stature," Srikkanth emphasized.
Scorecard: India vs South Africa, 2nd Test
While acknowledging the hype surrounding Gill as the next promising talent, Srikkanth urged caution in both overrating and underestimating the young batsman. Gill has showcased potential in limited-overs cricket but faces the challenge of translating his success into the Test arena.
"I think the hype around Shubman Gill, quite a few are saying 'he is the next this, next that.' I think we will have to wait and see. I would not overrate him, I would not want to underestimate him," he added.
In 19 Tests, Gill has amassed 994 runs at an average of 31.06, with two centuries and four fifties. Srikkanth emphasized the significance of performing well in overseas conditions, citing Gill's record in Australia compared to his struggles in England and South Africa.
Gill's Test numbers in India, Australia, England, South Africa, the West Indies, and Bangladesh reveal areas of improvement. Srikkanth encouraged Gill to establish consistency across formats and locations to solidify his standing in international cricket.
(With inputs from ANI)
