"He has put a little more effort on the sweep" - Aakash Chopra lauds Shubman Gill's knock in IND vs NZ 2024 3rd Test

Aakash Chopra has lauded Shubman Gill for playing a crucial knock in India's first innings of the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. He was particularly appreciative of the stylish batter's game against left-arm spin and the hard work he has put in on the sweep shot.

Gill scored 90 runs off 146 deliveries as India were bowled out for 263 on Saturday, November 2. New Zealand were 171/9 at Stumps, with a lead of 143 runs heading into Day 3.

During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Chopra was asked about the importance of Gill's knock, especially since it came in the first innings.

"It's extremely important, firstly because of the way he played against left-arm spin. That's an important examination for him. A sort of reputation gets created that left-arm spin is troubling him. Then you start finding patterns in that, the shortcomings come to the fore, and you think you have to work more on your game," he responded.

"It's difficult to work on your game in the middle of a series. You can go to the nets and try for long if there is a gap between two series. However, if you say in the evening that a new batter will emerge the next day, it doesn't happen. So it was seen that he is trying to work on his game. He has put a little more effort on the sweep," the former India opener added.

Shubman Gill struck seven fours and a six during his 90-run knock. He scored 32 runs off 61 deliveries, including four fours, against the left-arm spin of Ajaz Patel.

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"You will find that he even bats extra" - Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has fallen prey to left-arm spinners quite often. [P/C: BCCI]

During the same discussion, Aakash Chopra noted that Shubman Gill puts additional effort into improving his game.

"I was also talking to him yesterday. He said that at times you play so much white-ball cricket that certain things that are important in Tests, you are unable to do enough repetitions of those. You are unable to make them a part of your DNA through repetition, it doesn't become second nature. So for that, you will find that he even bats extra," he said.

"He was batting in Bengaluru after the match. He was doing that here as well after coming in the morning. The new things he is trying, whether it's the sweep, he is trying that they at least become a part of his muscle memory. The bat used to be beside the pads and the ball was hitting the pads," the cricketer-turned-commentator added.

Chopra pointed out that Gautam Gambhir advised Gill to keep his bat ahead of the pads. However, he added that it's not easy for the Punjab batter to adopt that technique.

"Gautam explained to him that the bat needs to be kept in front. This was in the Pune Test and he had to work on it after that. It's not easy. It's part of muscle memory. Gautam is short-statured, it's easy for him to keep the bat in front, but it's not the case for Shubman. I still feel Shubman Gill needs to work a little more," he explained.

Gill added 96 runs for the fifth wicket with Rishabh Pant (60 off 59). The right-handed batter was the eighth Indian wicket to fall, caught by Daryl Mitchell at slip off Ajaz Patel's bowling.