- By Namrata Vijay
- Sun, 21 Sep 2025 04:37 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025: Ex-India cricketer Aakash Chopra has suggested that Shubman Gill play in his usual style and that he shouldn't bat overly aggressively in the ongoing tournament, as this will help him bounce back to form. Gill was seen struggling in this tournament and has scored just 35 runs after playing in just three matches till now, and the way he has been getting out shows his struggles adapting to the team's new aggressive style.
At the same time, Abhishek Sharma has batted at a strike rate of 225 and has been in sublime form. During an interaction on his YouTube channel, Chopra revealed that Abhishek's extra-aggressive approach has allowed others time to breathe and that Gill doesn't have to do the same.
The ex-India cricketer also said that Gill should just bat deep into the innings as the surfaces in the UAE won't let them post a target of more than 200 runs.
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"Abhishek Sharma has been playing well thus far. He is giving starts at a strike rate of 200 in every match. He has scored 30-odd runs in double quick speed and given everyone else a chance to breathe. However, Gill hasn't fired. He remained not out on 20 in the first match for sure, but after that, he got out to Saim Ayub's ball, and then got bowled," Aakash Chopra was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.
"So that is one area that we need to address. Although it's in our mind that Gill has come in place of Sanju and should do a job like Sanju, give an explosive start, but these are not those kinds of pitches. 200 runs won't be scored here. So Gill, you have to do what you do probably better than everyone else," he added.
Get set and be aggressive
Chopra further said that Gill should take time and adjust himself to the conditions before playing offensively. The ex-cricketer is of the view that he should bat deep if the team needs him to, especially if Axar Patel isn't playing the match against Pakistan owing to an injury.
"Just bat deep into the innings. After that, when you wish, after you have gotten set and have played seven to 10 overs, I don't care even if you get out while trying to hit a six. However, you need to be there for this team to bat deeper, especially if Axar isn't there and you have a slight lack of depth in batting. Then Gill's role will increase even further," he concluded.