Shubman Gill Faces Criticism After Dismissal in Chennai Test

During the first Test match between India and Bangladesh held in Chennai, Shubman Gill faced an early dismissal that sparked a wave of criticism and debate across social media. The Indian batsman was removed for an eight-ball duck by Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud. The incident occurred after Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto decided to bowl first upon winning the toss. Mahmud, exploiting the conditions effectively, also secured the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both out for six runs each.

Gill’s dismissal was considered unusual as the ball was sliding down the leg side, but he managed to edge it, resulting in a catch by wicketkeeper Litton Das. This sparked comparisons with Babar Azam, with fans accusing Gill of being retained in the team more for his public relations appeal than his performance. Many users, including Rajiv and Anivesh, took to Twitter to voice their belief that Gill’s place in the team is undeserved outside of One Day Internationals.

However, former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel came to Gill’s defense, suggesting that the batsman was simply unlucky. According to Patel’s analysis on JioCinema, the dismissal was a result of an instinctive shot by Gill, who was trying to stay ahead of his popping crease to counter the swing and seam movement offered by the pitch conditions. Patel noted that getting caught behind on the leg side is one of cricket’s unluckiest dismissals, likening it to being run out at the non-striker’s end.

The match marked a fresh beginning for India with Rohit Sharma at the helm and the inclusion of several new and returning players. Notable returns included wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, back in action after recovering from a serious car accident in 2022, and Virat Kohli, returning to Test cricket for the first time since the Cape Town match against South Africa in January. India aims to extend its lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings as they embark on a new Test season comprising ten matches.