India’s batting coach, Vikram Rathour, has thrown his support behind struggling stars Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer ahead of the second Test against England in Vizag on February 2. Both players have faced criticism for their recent form in Test cricket. Gill, who has been under the microscope since moving to the number three spot, has failed to make a significant impact.
His last notable performance dates back to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy early last year, leaving him without a half-century since then. In the recent Hyderabad Test, Gill managed scores of 23 and 0 across two innings.
Similarly, Shreyas Iyer, who returned during the South Africa series, has also struggled to find his rhythm with the bat. Despite showing glimpses of aggression, he has fallen short of making substantial contributions, with his highest score during the South Africa tour being 31. In the first Test against England, he scored 35 and 13 in the two innings.
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Despite the mounting pressure on both players, Rathour remains confident in their abilities and believes that their dip in form is a temporary phase. Addressing the media, Rathour emphasized that both Gill and Iyer are talented individuals and stressed the importance of their preparation and mindset.
“There is no question about their ability, and they are both very fine players,” Vikram Rathour affirmed. “People go through bad patches where runs don’t come as frequently. The key is to focus on their preparation and mindset.”
Rathour expressed optimism about Gill and Iyer’s future performances, highlighting their dedication to training and constructive conversations. He believes that it’s only a matter of time before both players produce significant contributions to the team.
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“They are preparing really well, having good conversations, and it’s just a matter of time before they come up with big performances,” Vikram Rathour concluded, indicating his faith in the duo’s potential to bounce back strongly.
