Shubman Gill is “ridiculously talented” and should be able to make adjustments while traversing different formats and score big runs for India, feels former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson.
Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, has not scored much in the ongoing white-ball series against Australia. He has scored 10, 9 and 24 in three ODIs, 37 not out, 5 and 15 in three T20 Internationals so far.
He came to Australia after scoring a hundred and fifty in three innings in two Tests at home against the West Indies.
The fourth T20I of the five-match series is being played here on Thursday.
“It takes time (to make adjustments) and it’s through trial and error that you really get to know exactly what you need to do to make those adjustments, as well as playing in different conditions,” Watson said.
“But Shubman is a ridiculously talented batsman. He’s got amazing technique. It won’t take him long at all to really get his bearings in different formats because when someone is as highly skilled as he is, it won’t take him too long.”
Watson admitted that switching formats is not easy, but a player adapts by playing more matches.
“It’s definitely a challenge and the more you do it, the better you really understand the little adjustments you have to make in your technique, in your game plan, in your mindset around each format, so that you can be at your best every time you have to make that adjustment,” said the 44-year-old, who played 59 Tests, 190 ODIs and 58 for the 2002 T20 Australia.
Watson praised India’s explosive opening batsman Abhishek Sharma, who has taken T20 cricket by storm.
“He’s an absolute treat to watch. He’s unbelievably good, isn’t he? He’s so fearless, but then he also has the ability to adapt to whatever is needed,” Watson said.
“It’s been special to see his development over the last two or three years, since he first came in, getting opportunities for Sunrisers Hyderabad. And then to see him continue to explode like he has. He’s got all different gears, he’s also got all different shots against different bowlers in different conditions.”
Abhishek, 25, has played a major role in India’s Asia Cup triumph, scoring 19, 68 and 25 in the three T20Is against Australia so far.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
November 5, 2025
