India fell to England in Hyderabad, exposing struggles by Gill (97 runs, 6 innings, 16.16 avg) and Iyer (89 runs, 6 innings, 17.80 avg) in Tests

India lost the test match to England in Hyderabad. There are always some faults that lead to defeat. When things are going well, underperforming stats aren’t scrutinized, but now it’s evident that Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have struggled consistently in test cricket.

Shubman Gill has scored 97 runs in 6 innings during the 2023-24 season for India in test cricket, averaging only 16.16, a worrying sign for India. On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer has scored 89 runs in 6 innings during the same season, averaging only 17.80.

According to the numbers, both Gill and Iyer are finding test cricket challenging. However, this doesn’t negate the fact that both are quality players who can make a comeback with a century or more.

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An important aspect of their struggle is their lack of experience, leaving India without players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. This might be due to the T20 mindset these players have adopted.

Test cricket demands a different technique and temperament. Players must handle pressure with a defensive yet convincing mindset before building a good innings.

The last time Shubman Gill surpassed 40 runs was 11 innings ago against Australia in Ahmedabad, on a track favorable for batting. Since then, there has been a significant dip in his form.

Some new names have been added to the team for the second test match. However, it’s unlikely that Gill and Iyer will lose their places. Indian coach Rahul Dravid has backed both players for this series.

Sarfaraz Khan might get a chance in place of KL Rahul, and Sourav Kumar will replace Ravindra Jadeja. This might weaken the batting order as Rahul was the only experienced player in the middle order.

Overall, this will only add extra pressure on Gill and Iyer to perform well. While they are good players, the challenge remains. Another option could be to send Gill to the top and Rohit Sharma to number 3.

However, this poses a challenge for Rohit, who is more comfortable with the new ball, as he prefers to attack straightaway. The second match will be played at Vizag starting from February 2, and the pitch is expected to be difficult for batters.