IPL 2020 News: Dean Jones backs Shubman Gill as KKR opener for IPL 2020

Dean Jones backs Shubman Gill: The former Australian batsman wants Kolkata Knight Riders to open with their talented young batsman.

In the 14 matches that Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders played in the last season, they opened the batting with Shubman Gill on only five occasions.

The presence of the ultra-attacking pair of Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine had made it difficult for Gill to open the batting despite doing well in the limited opportunities he got at the top of the order.

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For example, in an IPL 2019 home match against Delhi Capitals, Gill opened the batting in the absence of Lynn and Narine to score 65 (39) with the help of seven fours and two sixes. However, as the duo returned in the next match, the rookie batsman was once again demoted to the middle-order.

A primary problem with someone of Gill’s flare to bat in the middle-order in a T20 match is that he either doesn’t get to bat or comes out to bat with a couple of overs remaining. While KKR do the right thing by promoting all-rounder Andre Russell in the second half of an innings, the move doesn’t do justice to Gill’s potential.

Dean Jones backs Shubman Gill as KKR opener for IPL 2020

In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, former Australia batsman Dean Jones has lent his support behind Gill opening the batting for Knight Riders in IPL 2020.

“I want to see Shubman Gill open the batting for Kolkata Knight Riders. I think there is an opportunity for it now and the time has come for them to put him at the top of the order and let him play,” Jones was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

In 27 IPL matches for Kolkata, Gill has scored 499 runs at an average of 33.27 and a strike rate of 132.36 including four half-centuries. With KKR releasing Lynn before this auction, it is highly likely that the Dinesh Karthik-led team will open with Gill in IPL 2020.