Twitter Reactions: Netizens troll Kevin Pietersen for comparing Shubman Gill with Jacques Kallis

Shubman Gill's form has come under intense scrutiny following his lacklustre performances in the first Test at Hyderabad and the ongoing second Test at Vizag against England. After a shaky start in Hyderabad and somewhat composed innings in Vizag, Gill's struggles have persisted since his recovery from dengue during the World Cup.

In the first Test, he managed a mere 23 runs, and his dismissal showing in the ongoing Test's opening day saw him fall for 34 runs to James Anderson. His batting average, which once showed promise, has now dropped to 29.52 in his 21 Test appearances, with only two centuries and four half-centuries to his name. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has come out in support of Gill, likening his situation to that of the legendary Jacques Kallis, who also faced a rough start to his Test career. 

"Kallis averaged 22 in his first 10 Tests and turned out to be arguably the greatest player to play the game. Give @ShubmanGill time to find it, please. He's a serious player!" Pietersen wrote on his ‘X’ handle. 

The 24-year-old's struggles have been compounded by his demotion to number 3 in the batting order, a move prompted by the emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal as a reliable Test opener. The pressure on the right-handed batter to retain his place in the Indian Test squad has intensified, especially considering his underwhelming average of 18.81 in the last seven Tests, where he has managed only 207 runs.

However, Kevin Pietersen's comparison drew criticism from fans and think tanks on social media, citing South African legend Jacques Kallis' unparalleled stature in the cricketing world. Despite Pietersen's backing, Gill's recent performance in the ongoing Test series at home has raised concerns among fans and experts alike. With only 57 runs in three innings against England, including a duck and scores of 23 and 34 in Hyderabad and Vizag, respectively, calls for his exclusion from the upcoming Tests have gained momentum.

Here's how 'X' users reacted to Kevin Pietersen's view on Shubman Gill: