“For me, it was a no-brainer. He would have been knocking on the door from the very first Test match and what makes me think is what I saw in Gabba last time."
Follow Us
India won two easy and dominant games against Australia to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the fourth time in a row. Despite a 2-0 series advantage, India is unlikely to modify its winning combination. Nevertheless, there is one modification that has been advocated for by many, including former India coach Shastri, who hinted at it in an epic laud for India’s hero. Shastri was effusive in his admiration for young Gill during an interview with The ICC Review, adding that his selection for this Test series was a no-brainer based on his series-winning innings of 91 at the Gabba two years ago. Not just Gabba, but Shastri also recalled Gill’s brave knock in Melbourne, which, together with Rahane’s famous tonne, helped set the tone for BGT 2020-21.
“For me, it was a no-brainer. He would have been knocking on the door from the very first Test match and what makes me think is what I saw in Gabba last time. When we beat Australia in Australia, who got the runs? Shubman Gill. When we bounced back in the G after 36 all-out, who scored the runs in the second innings? Gill.” he said. The former India all-rounder went on to say that Gill’s recent international success, which has many people hailing him as Virat Kohli’s genuine heir, has caused even the Indian players to wonder how he could miss out on the starting Eleven.
Read more: ‘Bazball’: What is the England Test team’s new weapon?
“When you have a player that confident, and with his performances of late and the way he has batted, there could be a lot of players in that dressing room within themselves, not just KL Rahul, ‘How is this guy not playing?’ I know that dressing room. I know they must be feeling ‘This guy has got it…it’s just a matter of time’,” he added. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins will miss the third Test against India because he has returned to Australia to care for his ailing mother. The Indore Test will be captained by Steve Smith. “I have chosen not to return to India at this time since my mother is unwell and receiving palliative care. I feel most at ease being with my family. I am grateful for Cricket Australia’s and my teammates’ amazing support. Thank you for your patience “Cummins issued a statement.
Australia is behind the series 0-2 and will be without the services of other senior members including David Warner and Josh Hazlewood, who have already been ruled out of the Test series due to injury. Smith has previously served as a stand-in skipper against the West Indies in December 2022, when Cummins was ruled out due to injury, and in the Ashes Test in 2021, when there were Covid-related concerns. While Cricket Australia has not selected a substitute for Cummins for this Test, it seems expected that either Mitchell Starc (who is also recuperating from injury) or Scott Boland, who played in the first Test, will fill the vacancy.
Rishabh Pant's explosive last-over blitz ignites IPL 2024 amid T20 World Cup comeback talks
