Shubman Gill has more ability than several greats of the game, he just needs to bat freely without thinking much: Virender Sehwag

Former India opener Virender Sehwag feels that all Kolkata Knight Riders batter Shubman Gill needs to do is work on his mindset and play freely. Sehwag reckoned that Gill should go for his strokes and look to score runs without worrying about anything for he has nine others following him in the batting order. He further went on to say that Gill has “more ability than several greats of the game”.

“Shubman Gill should bat freely, no matter what the situation is. He shouldn’t be bothered about runs. There are 9 batsmen behind him, hence, he shouldn’t think much. If he gets a loose ball, hit it big and of not, just tap it and get a single.

“He has more ability than several greats of the game. The players from older generations had a stronger mindset which led them to success. If Gill wants to be a successful batter, he needs to work on his mindset,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

Gill, who had a forgettable first half of the season that saw him score merely 132 runs in seven innings at a below-120 strike rate, showed good form against Royal Challengers Bangalore, as he scored 48 off 34 during his team’s thumping nine-wicket win on season resumption.

You just go and start hitting: Virender Sehwag

Known for his flamboyant and fearless batting style, Sehwag’s advice for T20 batters remains the same – see the ball, hit the ball.

“T20 cricket isn’t a format where you score ball-to-ball. You do that in the longer formats where a strike rate of 50 is considered decent. But this format is meant to bat like this.

“No need to take pressure while batting. You just go and start hitting. If you connect then you are a match-winner and if couldn’t, then no worries, someone else will do that.

“It is not about the skill but mindset. It’s most important because if you have that kind of mindset, how would you play? Batsmen do have the skill to hit a six but doubt in their mind and fear of getting out stops them from going for it,” Sehwag said.