David Lloyd likens Shubman Gill with Mohammad Azharuddin after century at Edgbaston

Former England cricketer David Lloyd compared Shubman Gill’s batting style with former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin. Gill scored an unbeaten knock of 114 runs on the opening day of the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Wednesday.

Lloyd said Gill is flamboyant and languid in his strokeplay, like the former Hyderabad batter. Gill showed all the patience in his knock and had 96% control while batting against England bowlers. According to Cricviz, Shubman Gill played just four percent false shots in his century, which is the lowest figure for a Test hundred in England since records began in 2006.

This is Gill’s second consecutive Test century while leading the team. However, Lloyd noted that Gill is still a work in progress as a leader, as he looked a bit perplexed in the opening Test at Leeds.

Lloyd wrote in his column for Daily Mail, “Shubman Gill has slotted in seamlessly at number four, with a century at Headingley and another hundred here. Batting looks effortless to him and he is wonderful to watch. He reminds me of Mohammad Azharuddin, who with his languid stroke play and relaxed mannerisms looked like nothing fazed him.”

“At just 25, Gill’s next challenge is to get comfortable with the captaincy because he looked a little confused at Leeds.”

On the other hand, David Lloyd slammed India for their selection in the second Test. India’s think tank have decided not to play Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav and have backed three all-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar in the team after twin collapses at Leeds. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj have retained their places whereas Akash Deep replaced Bumrah.

“India made three changes and what I’m hearing is that their camp would be happy to get to Lord’s, just one-nil down. They lengthened the tail after the collapses at Headingley and my interpretation is that they’ve loaded this team with batters and would be happy with a draw. If you get into that mindset before you’ve even started, you’re shooting yourself in the foot,” said Lloyd (via the aforementioned source).

India ended the opening day’s play at 310-5.