I don’t think he will be there yet – Scott Styris on Shubman Gill’s place in India’s T20I side

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris feels Shubman Gill still has a lot to do to make his place in the T20I side. Styris doesn’t think Shubman Gill is there yet for the T20I team despite scoring a truckload of runs in the last two ODI series against West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Gill batted at his absolute best against the West Indies as he scored 205 runs in three ODI matches at an average of 102.50 and did a fine job while opening the innings with Shikhar Dhawan.

The youngster continued his prolific form as he scored 245 runs in three matches against Zimbabwe. Gill also brought his maiden International century in the third ODI as he scored a majestic knock of 130 runs off just 97 balls. The right-hander from Punjab was awarded the Player of the Series in both the series against West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill scored 483 runs in 16 matches for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 and played a key role in the success of the franchise in their maiden season.

Scott Styris said on Sports 18 show Sports Over the Top, “Not in the short term, I don’t think he will be there yet. I think he will be [in the team], let’s say 12 months from now. He is making his way nicely from the Test match side through to the T20s. He is still learning. He is a young man, he is growing his game, all of those things I think apply.”

Styris feels Gill’s had a weakness on the front foot when he first played in the Indian Premier League.

“I think there was a huge weakness in his game when he first came into the Indian T20 league, and that was on the front foot. Any new player, especially a young player, will get tested with the short ball and he was sitting, waiting for it.”

The former all-rounder added Gill has significantly improved his front foot game in the recent past.

“He is very very strong with the pull and the hook shot. We haven’t seen him lose that. Even though on the front foot he had not a lot of power, he had not a lot of ability to go down the ground, but that’s starting to change.”

“So you are seeing him grow as a player as well and that is a terrifically exciting prospect for Indian cricket, the fact that a terrific talent that he is, is also getting better at those weaknesses. Therefore, I do believe that the T20 format will be for him in the not too distant future.”

Gill will look to continue the good show in the upcoming matches.