Sehwag: Scoring runs is more important than the strike rate

IPL 2022: Before the match that sees table topper Gujarat Titans face bottom placed Mumbai Indians, Sehwag has some advice for GT opener Gill.

Shubman Gill has been in decent form over the course of the IPL but, recently the runs have started to dry up for the opener.

With Gill scoring single digit scores in 3 off his last 5 matches, Sehwag is worried the opener is losing his touch. IN these matches, Gill has amassed just 69 runs with an average of 13.8.

In the previous match, Gill was run out brilliantly by Rishi Dhawan for just 9 runs. This is an unusual dip in form, as Gill scored 84 and 96 in successive matches before the dip.

However legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag has advised him to just score runs. Whether he scores them at a strike rate 150 or 120, it does not matter!

With the spot for GT well and truly confirmed, Sehwag advices Gill to take his time and amass a big score against a struggling MI bowling attack.

“They (Gujarat Titans) should simply tell him – ‘play the game that suits you, we need runs from you. Whether you score at a strike rate of 120 or 150, just score runs’. If Gill bats for the first seven to eight overs, then their big-hitters like David Miller and Rahul Tewatia come into the game,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz. 

Gill should play out as many overs as he can to settle himself, before he starts hitting long. If there is no one to carry the bat throughout the innings, bit hitters like Tewatia and Miller will also struggle to make an impact.

“If they walk in early, as they did in the last game, they struggle because they are unsure of whether to attack or defend. Even if Gujarat are 80 after 10 overs, their batters have the ability to score 120 in the remaining 10 overs,” Sehwag added. 

Sehwag warns GT to not experiment in the match vs MI by batting first.

At a small stadium like Brabourne, where teams chasing have won majority of the matches, Sehwag asks GT to refrain from experimenting and opting to bat first, if they win the toss.

“GT must not experiment with batting first. This (Brabourne) is a small ground and there are greater chances of a total being chased down. They must make well-thought-out decisions from here and aim to finish in the top two. They should not take any game lightly,” he said. 

Mumbai Indians take on Gujarat Titans, tonight, at the Brabourne Stadium.