"There was no need to step out at all" - Sunil Gavaskar on Shubman Gill's dismissal in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Sunil Gavaskar has questioned Shubman Gill for his mode of dismissal in India's first innings of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 fifth Test. He pointed out that the stylish batter didn't need to step out and play Nathan Lyon.

Gill scored 20 runs off 64 deliveries as India were bowled out for 185 on Day 1 (Friday, January 3) of the final Test against Australia in Sydney. Jasprit Bumrah helped the visitors end the day on a positive note as he dismissed Usman Khawaja off the final delivery to reduce the Aussies to 9/1 in their first innings.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Gavaskar replied in the affirmative when asked whether Gill would be disappointed with his dismissal.

"Absolutely, because he hadn't even tried to step out and play till then. He could have probably left the ball had he stayed in the crease. There was no need to step out at all. He had decided beforehand that he would step out," he reasoned.

The former India captain added that he had an inkling Gill would attempt a big shot off the last ball before Lunch.

"I was doing commentary at that time and I felt he might try to play a lofted shot off the last ball and exactly like that happened. He stepped out but the ball was slightly far and he was caught at slip while trying to play it," Gavaskar observed.

Shubman Gill danced down the track against Nathan Lyon just before Lunch. He failed to reach the pitch of the ball and only managed to get an outside edge to Steve Smith at slip.

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"Shubman Gill went behind and tried to take a little time one or two balls before that" - Irfan Pathan

Shubman Gill struck two fours during his innings. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Irfan Pathan pointed out that Shubman Gill was trying to ensure that Australia wouldn't get the time to bowl another over before Lunch.

"The second thing was that Nathan Lyon was trying to finish the over quickly so that they might get another over before Lunch. So Shubman Gill went behind and tried to take a little time one or two balls before that, roamed around a little, and then it came to his mind that he should step down and play," he said.

The former India all-rounder added that the right-handed batter played a 'nothing shot' against a bowler who wasn't likely to be a big threat on a Day 1 surface.

"He probably wanted to play a lofted shot but he ended up playing a nothing shot and he got an outside edge in that. There was neither any turn on the pitch nor could Nathan Lyon have been a threat. It is the first day. There was seven millimeters of grass," Pathan observed.

Pathan highlighted that Gill's dismissal gave Australia a little momentum as there is a difference between taking two and three wickets before Lunch. He added that it was similar to the momentum India got when they got a wicket off the day's last ball.