Rahul Dravid voices support for Shubman Gill ahead of first India vs England Test

Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid has come to the defence of Shubman Gill's performance in Test cricket. 24-year-old Gill, who has been in sensational form in white-ball cricket, has encountered difficulties translating his success to the Test format. Since his transition to the No. 3 position during the series in the West Indies, Gill has scored only 103 runs across six innings, a statistic that starkly contrasts his otherwise stellar cricketing resume.

Dravid, in a show of support, highlighted the inherent challenges and pressures of international cricket, especially for a player as young as Gill. "Gill is a fine player. Starting out in the journey as a cricketer sometimes we forget that it takes a little bit of time at times. Some guys have success instantly, actually he is one of those guys who has done really well in some of his early days, especially in Australia," Dravid articulated during a press meeting on Tuesday. His words underscore the belief in Gill's potential and the natural progression of a cricketer's career, which can experience fluctuations in performance.

The head coach also pointed out the demanding conditions that have characterized Test cricket in recent years, acknowledging the tough wickets in countries like India, England, and the West Indies. These conditions, according to Dravid, have posed significant challenges not only to Gill but to many young players making their mark in international cricket.

Furthermore, Dravid commended Gill's dedication and hard work, emphasizing his commitment to improvement and growth. "He is doing all the right things. He is working really hard. He is putting in the time, putting in the effort. In the last season, he has got a couple of nice hundreds for us, one in Bangladesh and one in Ahmedabad against Australia. I think he is on the right track," Dravid remarked, highlighting Gill's notable achievements despite the challenges.

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