Monty Panesar Critiques Shubman Gill's Readiness for All Formats of Cricket
Panesar's Take on Shubman Gill
By Vipul Kashyap
Luston [England], December 28: Monty Panesar, a former cricketer for England, has expressed concerns regarding Shubman Gill's readiness to compete across all formats of international cricket, labeling him as a complacent player.
In a conversation, Panesar acknowledged Gill's considerable talent but criticized his tendency to play lazy shots during matches. He contrasted Gill's approach with Virat Kohli's evident intensity and aggression, suggesting that Gill struggles to match that level.
“He is a complacent cricketer. He possesses a lot of talent, yet he tends to play lazy shots during games. Virat Kohli's intensity and aggression are apparent in every format. Shubman Gill cannot replicate that. The pressure is too much for him. He isn't suited to captain all formats; it’s overwhelming,” Panesar remarked.
Under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir, Team India has faced challenges in Test cricket, suffering two significant defeats against New Zealand (3-0) and South Africa (2-0).
When asked about Gambhir's coaching abilities, Panesar noted that while Gambhir excels in white-ball formats, he could benefit from focusing on red-ball cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy. He suggested that Gambhir should consult with experienced Ranji Trophy coaches to better understand team building in this format.
“Gautam Gambhir is effective in white-ball coaching due to his success. He could transition to coaching in the Ranji Trophy and should engage with coaches familiar with red-ball cricket to learn how to construct a competitive team. Currently, the Indian Test team is not robust; this is a reality. Transitioning after the retirement of three key players poses challenges in maintaining readiness among the remaining squad,” Panesar explained.
He emphasized that while Virat Kohli's absence is less felt in white-ball formats, it is significantly noticeable in Test cricket, where the team's intensity has diminished.
“In white-ball cricket, Kohli's absence isn't as impactful. However, in Test matches, it’s clear that his presence is missed, and the team's intensity has dropped,” he stated.
Panesar further remarked that the Indian players are currently unprepared for Test cricket, attributing this to a lack of focus on the format as many young players prioritize IPL contracts.
“Indian players are not adequately prepared for Test matches. Those who excel in T20 and ODI formats often struggle in Tests,” he noted.
“The disparity between the Ranji Trophy and the Indian Test team is substantial. The Ranji Trophy system is weak, and players are primarily motivated by the prospect of lucrative IPL contracts. They prefer T20 and ODI formats due to the financial rewards, which leads to less commitment to four-day cricket,” Panesar added.
“They earn significantly more in T20 cricket compared to Test matches. However, the reality is that the domestic structure of the Ranji Trophy needs improvement. It will take time for India to regain its strength in Test cricket,” he concluded.