NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill‘s struggle against straight deliveries is an area of concern, former national batting coach Sanjay Bangar said on Wednesday. The opener has scored just 32 runs in three games in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. However, what worries Bangar more than the total runs is Gill’s strike rate, which dips noticeably against deliveries pitched on a straight line.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking on Game Plan on JioStar, Bangar explained that while Gill appears comfortable playing balls outside the off-stump, his performance against straight deliveries has been less convincing.
“In the beginning, his footwork was very positive. But if you remove three or four boundaries over 28 games, the issue has been on straighter lines. Against straight deliveries, his strike rate has fallen quite low,” Bangar said, urging the young opener to improve his footwork to counter this weakness.“Outside the off stump, his strike rate is good, but there have been a few edges as well. Overall, he has scored runs, but straight-line play is something he will want to improve. In the second (T20) game (against South Africa), the ball that got him out was a very good delivery. It could have dismissed any batter. His footwork has improved, and if he continues to play with clear footwork, he will be able to hit the same shots consistently, like the three or four boundaries we’ve seen.“Abhishek’s aggressive mindset laudedBangar also praised young opener Abhishek Sharma for his attacking approach, particularly his ability to clear the infield with big sixes over the covers. The former batting coach noted that Abhishek’s high backlift and powerful swing give him excellent reach, enabling him to hit the ball cleanly.“His attacking mindset is a key factor. He has the ability to strike the ball cleanly, especially over the covers, which is a special skill,” Bangar added.Hardik Pandya‘s dual impactBangar highlighted Hardik Pandya’s all-round contributions, emphasising the all-rounder’s capacity to dominate both with bat and ball. With the bat, Pandya’s wide base and deep stance allow him to generate power on all sides. With the ball, his fuller deliveries at around 132-133 kmph, along with his swing and yorkers, make him a crucial asset for India.“Pandya’s versatility provides India with a great balance,” said Bangar.
