'He has been given the cushion more than Pujara and...' - Former India head coach Anil Kumble makes blunt statement about Shubman Gill following later's dismal outings

Former Indian skipper and the legendary spinner of his era, Anil Kumble came up with a big statement about the young Indian batter Shubman Gill; Kumble’s statement came after Gill failed to live up to the expectations in both the innings of the first Test of the five-match series against England.

Gill was dismissed at the individual score of 23 in the first innings of the Hyderabad after he got a decent start; later in the second innings, he went back to the pavilion on a duck just after facing two balls.

Kumble spoke about the leverage given to Gill despite a dismal run of form with the bat in the last couple of matches. Former India head coach also mentioned the veteran Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara not getting enough cushion from the management just like in the case of Gill.

“He (Gill) has been given the cushion perhaps even a Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t get. Although he [Pujara] has played over 100 Tests, I keep returning to him mainly because that was his place not too long ago,” said Anil Kumble on Match Centre Live at Sports18.

“Pujara played in that World Test Championship final and post that, it’s been Shubman Gill, who’s been moving from the opener’s slot, and he wanted to bat at No.3,” he added later.

"He has the skills, he is young and he’s learning" - Anil Kumble about Shubman Gill

Furthermore, the spin legend also added that there’ll be a lot of pressure on Shubman Gill if the latter fails to capitalize on the chance for the number 3 batting position in the upcoming second Test of the five-match series against England in Vishakhapatnam.

“So, when you want to bat at No.3, especially in India because you have that talent, you certainly need to work on your game. He has the skills, he is young and he’s learning, but he needs to do it in Vizag, otherwise, the pressure will be on him,”  he said.