How Fast Bowlers Are Exploiting Gill’s Front Foot Hesitation
It's a recurring scene that's becoming all too familiar for Shubman Gill fans: a fast bowler lands the ball on that awkward in-between length, Gill's weight transfer to the front foot is a fraction slow, and he's trapped LBW or plays a tentative shot. Sunday's Champions Trophy match against New Zealand was just the latest example, with Matt Henry dismissing him in precisely this manner. But Henry isn't the first; Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Kagiso Rabada, James Anderson, and even Mohammad Shami (in the IPL) have all exploited this chink in Gill's otherwise impressive armor.
The issue stems from what can only be described as a tiny stride forward – more of a small step than a proper weight transfer. This hesitation, rooted in Gill's early development on cement pitches where back-foot play is dominant, leaves him vulnerable to deliveries that skid in from that good length area (roughly 6-8 meters from the stumps). When the ball is fuller, Gill's exceptional hand-eye coordination often bails him out. But on that in-between length, he's caught in no-man's land.
Batting at the highest level is all about balance and weight transfer. You need to be solid on the back foot, but still able to shift your weight forward smoothly and play under your eyes. Gill's trigger movement – a slight back-and-across shuffle with an opening of the front foot – doesn't always allow for that crucial forward movement.
It's a trade-off. Changing his technique significantly could disrupt his entire balance and affect the shots he does play well, like his superb back-foot punches. So, he's chosen to "manage" the issue, often relying on his quick hands to get him out of trouble. He's even experimented with reducing his initial back-foot movement and occasionally leaning his front shoulder in, trying to compensate for the lack of a full stride.
As Gill himself acknowledged in a past interview with The Indian Express, "There are one or two important elements. Like your shoulder should be aligned towards the ball, you should be a little side-on while playing, you should be in a good position even if your feet are not moving that well... If you are positioned well in relation to the ball, you will manage…"
And manage he often does, especially against fuller deliveries, like those from Shaheen Afridi. But bowlers like Naseem Shah, and now Matt Henry, have shown that the cautious approach, the reliance on hands alone, can be undone.
In recent months, Gill has also started walking down the pitch to disrupt the bowlers' length, a tactic that has often worked. But early in his innings, before he's fully settled and his aggressive instincts are flowing, that in-between length delivery remains a potent weapon against him.
Undoubtedly, it’s a ploy that would be tried in the semifinal too. One can assume he would begin the walk-down-the track sooner there or try to get that front shoulder lean in that much more pronouncedly at the crease. It will come down to the first few overs, mostly within the first five. If he can hoodwink the seamers into thinking he has that area covered on the day, he will prosper. The upcoming semi-final will be another test. Will Gill find a way to counter this persistent threat, or will opposing fast bowlers continue to exploit this chink in his armor?
Only time will tell. Watch out the Semi Final
