India’s batting lineup continues to struggle in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with a lack of collective contributions putting the team under immense pressure. While a few individuals have delivered flashes of brilliance, overall inconsistency has plagued the side, particularly in overseas conditions.
Shubman Gill, who bats at the crucial No. 3 spot, has come under the scanner for his inability to convert promising starts into substantial scores. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has voiced concerns over Gill’s recent form outside the subcontinent, pointing out a worrying pattern of low scores.
“We will have to talk about Shubman Gill. It’s been 16 innings where you haven’t crossed 40 outside Asia. You have been dismissed for single digits or early double digits many times. If your scores are like this and you bat at No. 3 for Team India in Test cricket, it’s a problem, and it will be discussed as well,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Gill, despite showing immense talent, has failed to replicate his earlier success on the 2021 Australia tour, where his iconic 91 at The Gabba was a standout performance. His underwhelming numbers have raised questions about his ability to anchor the innings in challenging overseas conditions.
The struggles were evident again in the ongoing Brisbane Test, where India’s batting faltered, leaving the team in a precarious position. After losing six wickets for just 167 runs in 49 overs, the visitors are still 79 runs away from avoiding the follow-on.
KL Rahul was the lone fighter, scoring a commendable 84, while the rest of the batting lineup crumbled under pressure. Notably, five Indian batters failed to reach double digits, highlighting a collective failure.
Rahul’s contribution accounted for a staggering 50.29% of the team’s total runs, reflecting the overreliance on individual brilliance rather than a consolidated effort. This has been India’s Achilles heel throughout the series, with batters repeatedly failing to complement each other.
The team’s inability to build partnerships has placed them on the brink of a series defeat. With expectations running high, particularly from players like Shubman Gill, the need for course correction is critical.
Gill’s success in the past has raised hopes, but his inability to adapt and rectify his methods has become a growing concern.
India must find answers quickly as the series progresses. The spotlight remains on Gill and his peers to step up, as Test matches are rarely won on the back of individual brilliance alone. A cohesive batting display will be essential if India wants to stay competitive and avoid a heavy series loss.
