In the space of a few months this year, Shubman Gill has graduated from the next big thing in Indian cricket to its newest poster boy, the new Virat Kohli, so to speak. Not only has Gill become the team’s
only premier batter who regularly plays all three formats, he also leads them in Tests and ODIs. Additionally, he has been handed over the vice-captaincy in T20Is, indicating he could be up for a leadership promotion in the shortest format too, given he manages to hold onto the spot in an increasingly competitive environment.
Not to forget, he also leads his IPL franchise, Gujarat Titans.
Since February, Gill hasn’t skipped a single tournament, be it IPL, a bilateral ODI series at home, or the Asia Cup, which was his first T20I tournament for India in over a year. And he is the only India cricketer to do so.
Workload management, anyone?
While the red-hot debate over managing Jasprit Bumrah’s workload continues, Gill, being a batter, slips under the radar. However, he’s in the spotlight post his neck injury during the first Test between India and South Africa.
The fitness concern meant he only batted for three deliveries in India’s first innings of the Kolkata Test and didn’t play any further role with a hamstrung batting order capitulating on a turning pitch to hand South Africa a 30-run win after failing to chase down a small target of 124.
The margin of defeat indicates how India suffered taking the field with one less batter. It’s not clear whether Gill will be fit and available for the 2nd Test that starts from Saturday in Guwahati – a must-win for India if they hope to avoid a second Test series defeat at home in just over a year.
While it’s not out in public sphere, the reason behind Gill’s injury, the fitness setback does raise a pertinent question: Is India’s Test and ODI captain in need of a break?
Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that if a batter is feeling the workload pressure, then it’s better to take a break from playing in IPL than skipping international cricket.
“I asked Gautam Gambhir exactly that (about Gill’s workload management). His point was that if you need workload management, then skip the IPL,” JioStar expert Aakash Chopra told News18 during the Media Day ahead of the second Test between India and South Africa.
“If you feel that leading an IPL team puts too much pressure, then don’t lead. While playing, (if) you are fit and not mentally fatigued… can turn up with 100 per cent intensity, play every single game you can – as a batter – I second the opinion that when you are going through a good form, you really want to maximise. You never know when the bad form (will hit you) or where the next run is going to come from. We have all gone through those feelings,” Chopra added.
Gill had a record-breaking tour of England earlier this year when he racked up over 750 runs across five Tests. He continued his red-ball form when India hosted West Indies for a two-Test series in October, hitting 192 runs across three innings.
Chopra indicated that when the form is with Gill, he should play as much as possible.
“When you are making hay while the sun is shining and the sun is shining bright, there’s no fitness concern per se, no mental burnout concern – that’s very individual specific – play as much as you can,” Chopra said.
The former India opener cited how Virat Kohli, during his younger days, was a regular feature across formats without displaying any visible drop in intensity.
“Virat Kohli did this for years together. Played all three formats, never took a break, never saw the intensity going down either. I think Shubman Gill is walking on the same path, charting the same course. Now, it’s a freak injury. I hope he gets fit and plays in Guwahati because India missed him at the Eden,” Chopra said.
“Again, that’s a very individual thing. I kind of concur with Gautam’s opinion that when you play for India, you play for India. If you need a break, then take it for a few games or from the captaincy duties to lighten the workload in IPL. And not really talk about workload management, definitely as a batter when you’re playing for India,” he added.
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