Former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar has expressed concerns about Shubman Gill's ability to adapt seamlessly across all three cricket formats. With India set to face South Africa in a comprehensive series featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is, Gill will need to manage switching between different playing styles. Nayar pointed out that adapting strike rates and mindset while moving between formats poses significant challenges for any player. Gill's recent performances have raised questions, particularly his disappointing showing in the T20I series against Australia where he failed to capitalize on opportunities. His struggles continued during the 2025 Asia Cup, where he managed only 127 runs across seven matches. The first Test begins on November 14 at Eden Gardens, where Gill will captain India and face scrutiny over his form and leadership abilities throughout the Test and ODI matches.
Managing Format Transitions and Leadership Expectations
Nayar emphasized that constantly switching between formats forces players to adjust their strike rates and overall approach. Speaking on JioHotstar's Game Plan, he noted that becoming comfortable in one format makes transitions difficult. Despite Gill's underwhelming recent form, including his failure to score a fifty during the entire Australia tour, Nayar praised his evolution as both batsman and captain during England's tour. He acknowledged that workload management has been overlooked as Gill plays continuously without complaint. Nayar believes Gill's mentality and approach will determine how he handles pressure. With the captaincy responsibility in the South Africa series, expectations remain high despite his recent struggles across formats and tournaments.
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