New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): Former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has suggested that India’s Test captain Shubman Gill’s on-field aggression during the third Test at Lord’s might have negatively impacted his batting performance, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The tension flared late on Day 3 when Gill lashed out verbally at England opener Zak Crawley, accusing him of wasting time to avoid another over. The confrontation sparked a fiery exchange between the two sides. But Manjrekar believes this emotional moment may have unsettled Gill’s temperament, which showed when he came out to bat and was dismissed cheaply for 6 off 9 balls during India’s fourth innings.
“What disappointed me with Shubman Gill—and this is why I was wondering, where is he heading?—is that the aggression didn’t bring the best out of him like it used to with Virat Kohli,” Manjrekar said during ESPNcricinfo Match Day.
He added that while Kohli often thrived in confrontations, Gill appeared “tentative” and out of rhythm after the incident, missing deliveries he had confidently negotiated throughout the series.
“This was new territory for Gill. We’re used to Indian players being treated amicably by foreign teams these days. The stump mic picked up some personal digs, and he didn’t seem up for it.”
Gill had arrived at Lord’s in red-hot form, with 458 runs from two Tests, including a career-best 269. But on a tougher pitch with a newer, harder ball, and amidst a hostile environment, his batting faltered during India’s chase of 193, which eventually ended in a 22-run defeat. England now leads the five-match series 2-1.
Manjrekar emphasized how Gill’s control over his shots had been outstanding throughout the series but seemed to vanish under pressure at Lord’s:
“In about nine deliveries, he missed four. That doesn’t happen with Shubman Gill. His control percentage had been exceptional.”
He also questioned whether Gill’s aggressive side was always present or if it had only emerged now due to his recent success and newfound leadership role:
“With Kohli, you always knew he had fire. Even before captaincy. With Gill, we’ve never seen this kind of aggression before. Maybe now he’s feeling more confident after winning a Test and scoring big.”
Despite the hiccup, Manjrekar praised Gill for surpassing expectations in his first series as Test captain, and said the upcoming eight-day break will be crucial for him to reflect and refine his leadership style.
“His father, who played a pivotal role in shaping his career, might help him understand whether he leans more toward a Kohli-style leadership, Dhoni’s calmness, or something in between. He has to discover a style that enhances both his captaincy and batting.”