“He is a highly overrated cricketer” - Former opener’s brutal attack on Indian batter after BGT 2024-25

Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth slammed Shubman Gill as an overrated cricketer after the closely-fought Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia ended with the hosts winning by a 3-1 margin. Gill played in only three of the five Tests but endured a horrific run, scoring 93 runs at an average of 18.60 with no half-centuries.

Despite boasting immense talent, the 25-year-old has struggled for consistency in Tests, averaging 35.05 in 32 outings. He has fared even worse away from home, averaging under 30 in 15 Tests.

Talking about Gill on his YouTube channel in the review of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Srikkanth said [via Hindustan Times]:

"I’ve always maintained that Shubman Gill is an overrated cricketer but nobody listened to me. He is a highly overrated cricketer. When Gill is getting this much of a long rope, some people might wonder whether even players like Suryakumar Yadav could have been given a longer rope in Tests."

He added:

"Ruturaj Gaikwad, for example, has been doing wonderfully in first-class cricket. But they’ve not bothered to pick him. Meanwhile someone like a Sai Sudharsan has been lighting it up in ‘A’ tours. You have to promote these kind of talents. Instead they are running around circles by picking Gill."

Despite a mediocre overall Test record, Gill showed signs of consistency last year with an average of 43.30 in 12 matches. However, his run of poor scores in Australia at the crucial No.3 position played a vital role in India surrendering the series.

"Anyone and everyone can amass runs on Indian wickets" - Kris Srikkanth

BORDER GAVASKAR TROPHY TEST: JAN 04 fifth NRMA Insurance Test - Source: Getty

Kris Srikkanth termed Shubman Gill a home-track bully in Tests, challenging him to perform in SENA countries.

The youngster averages under 26 in 11 Tests in SENA nations, while his home average reads a healthy 42.03 in 17 outings.

"Gill is right now surviving because he gets ten chances and scores on the tenth chance after nine failures. And because of that, he is getting another ten chances to succeed. Anyone and everyone can amass runs on Indian wickets, The challenge is scoring away from home in SENA countries and that’s where players like KL Rahul pass the test," said Srikkanth.

Gill played a massive role in India's 2-1 series win in Australia in 2020/21, averaging almost 52 with two half-centuries in three games. However, the drop-off away from home in the red-ball format has been staggering, raising questions about his place in the Indian Test side.