Shubman Gill a bit unlucky in IPL 2021, he is match away from a big score, says Brian Lara

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opener Shubman Gill has failed to set the stage on fire in the ongoing IPL 2021, as evident from the fact that he is yet to score a half-century in the season. Gill has recorded a highest score of 48, which is certainly not something expected from a player as capable and destructive as him. Legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara believes that the opener has simply been unlucky in the ongoing edition of IPL. Lara further feels that Gill is just a match away from notching a high score.

“Shubman Gill is a bit unlucky. If you look at him bat, he is in some form, alright. And I believe he’s just a match away from a big score. I think he gels really well with Iyer (Venkatesh) and I believe that both of them can come together and make something special, but replacing Shubman Gill now is not something that KKR wants to do,” said Lara on Star Sports show Game Plan.

The Kolkata-based franchise will be seen taking on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their next IPL 2021 league encounter. PBKS are in poor form this season, but Lara believes that they enjoy the ability to win matches.

“Yeah, I think so, they have the capability. They are not playing great cricket at the moment. Their batting has always been their strength and that has come up very short. Nicholas Pooran and Chris Gayle got out on a couple of opportunities, even their captain and KL Rahul and they missed Mayank Agarwal. So for me, their batting is the one thing that they depended on in the past,” he stated.

“They post big totals and try to defend it and if they don’t post big totals, they find it very difficult with the bowling attack that they have. Ravi Bishnoi is performing well and Mohammed Shami, as you know, is a professional and they expect that from him. Their batting has to be clicking and if they do click they give themselves that slight chance, it doesn’t mean that they can pull it off but they give themselves a better chance than they have been giving themselves in recent matches,” added Lara.

PBKS will be missing out on the services of Gayle, who has pulled out of IPL 2021 citing bubble fatigue.

Gayle ends IPL 2021 stint with Punjab Kings

Gayle has decided to cut short his stint with PBKS in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The cricketer termed ‘bubble fatigue’ as the factor which influenced this decision, having spent quite a period of time in a bio-bubble playing franchise and International cricket in recent times. The 42-year-old won’t be available now for selection for the remainder of PBKS’ games, which will certainly be an area of concern for the Punjab-based franchise.

“Over the last few months, I have been a part of the CWI bubble, CPL bubble followed by the IPL bubble, and I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself. I want to refocus on helping the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and would like to take a break in Dubai. My thanks to the Punjab Kings for giving me the time off. My wishes and hopes are with the squad always. All the very best for the games coming up,” said the Windies superstar as quoted by PBKS’ official website.