Abhishek Sharma steps up to help buddy Shubman Gill’s spin troubles loom before Pakistan clash

Shubman Gill spends extra time in practice to find some form ahead of Pakistan clash. (Photo: BCCI)

After wrapping up their final group-stage clash of the Asia Cup 2025 against Oman on Friday, India had little time to recover before their high-voltage Super Four encounter with Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai. To manage the short turnaround, the team management made Saturday’s training session optional. While most players chose rest, especially after enduring a two-hour round trip between Dubai and Abu Dhabi and a taxing 40 overs under the hot conditions, vice-captain Shubman Gill decided to spend extra time at the nets in search of form.

Gill has endured a rough start to the tournament, collecting just 35 runs across three matches. His struggles against spin have been particularly glaring, and with Pakistan’s spinners likely to target that weakness, he looked to iron out flaws during practice. His opening partner and close friend Abhishek Sharma stepped in to help, donning the role of a left-arm spinner along with other members of support staff also throwing down some balls.

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Gill’s unease was apparent as Sharma bowled flatter trajectories that cramped him for space, forcing repeated but unsuccessful sweep attempts. Sharma eventually advised him to try the inside-out loft over extra cover. Later, against Varun Chakravarthy, Gill looked even more unsettled, often charging down recklessly—dismissals that would have been straightforward in match conditions, as per TOI.

The numbers underline the concern: of the 24 balls Gill has faced in the competition, seven have come from spinners, yielding just two runs. While Pakistan didn’t unleash spin against him in their earlier group meeting, Salman Ali Agha could be tempted to bring in leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed early to test the opener.

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Gill, however, looked far more comfortable once the pacers took over, striking confidently down the ground and whipping a few deliveries into the stands. Yet, left-arm seam continues to trouble him. A thick edge against one in practice mirrored his recent dismissal against Oman, and Pakistan will be counting on Shaheen Shah Afridi to exploit that vulnerability at the start of India’s innings.