"It Is Not Right At All": Shubman Gill's Father Unhappy With India Star's New Role

Shubman Gill's first coach and father, Lakhwinder, says his son stepping out to the bowlers again has allowed him to get back among the runs in Test cricket though he doesn't agree with his decision to bat at number three. Pressure was mounting on Shubman following the conclusion of the series opener against England. He had gone without a fifty in 12 innings and was guilty of not playing his attacking game. Playing with hard hands made matter worse.

However, he struck his maiden hundred in the second innings of Vizag Test to silence his critics. It was also his major knock since dropping himself down to number three from the opening spot.

His father, who watched Shubman get to his second hundred of the series with a slog sweep here on Friday, spoke about the reasons that helped the India batter arrest his slide in red ball cricket.

"Stepping out has made a big difference, he had stopped doing that and that created pressure. Since his U-16 days, he has been stepping out to the spinners and pacers as well to cut the movement," Lakhwinder told PTI.

"The moment you don't play your natural game you are in trouble. The whole game is about confidence, when you get one good innings you are back to your best. Since his U-16 days, he used to make tons of runs."

Gill charged down the track to both spinners and pacers on Friday including against the great James Anderson. In the first hour of play, Gill was at his sublime best as he took two steps to hit Anderson down the ground for a six with dead straight bat.

Lakhwinder loves when his son plays the square cut and cover drive, and, both were on display at the HPCA Stadium here.

He should have continued to open

Lakhwinder, who continues to train with Shubman whenever he is home in