The Indian cricket team was dealt a 21-run defeat in the first T20I against New Zealand, with a lackluster batting performance leaving much to be desired. Among those who disappointed were two young guns, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill. Ishan could only muster 4 runs off 7 balls before being dismissed by Michael Bracewell, while Shubman fell to Mitchell Santner on a score of 7.
This poor showing did not go unnoticed by former Indian player Mohammad Kaif, who warned the two young batsmen about their potential to be labeled as “flat-track bullies.” In Kaif’s eyes, if Ishan and Gill cannot perform on challenging tracks like the one in Ranchi, they risk being viewed as players who can only succeed on easier pitches.
“Gill and Ishan have been making runs recently, but they came up short in the first game. They need to make the most of tough opportunities, or they’ll risk being seen as flat-track bullies by fans,” Kaif advised.
As the Indian cricket team looks ahead to the rest of the series against New Zealand, it’s clear that Ishan and Gill will have to step up their game if they hope to avoid the negative label and contribute to a successful campaign.