Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has thrown unconditional support behind the 19-year-old Shubman Gill following a bleak-show with the bat on his international debut. Pertinently, the teenager made it to the playing XI owing to a forced change of Virat Kohli, who has been rested following a non-stop cricket. Gavaskar felt Gill was intimidated while adding he looked a bit anxious in the middle but eventually believes that’s bound to happen when a play is representing the country for the first time at the highest level.
“Well, for whatever little time he was there, he was a little bit tense, nervous. That’s understandable because he is playing for the country for the first time,” Gavaskar told broadcasting giant Star Sports.
The Punjab-based teenager Gill managed to score 21-ball nine runs which comprised of a solitary four. However, Trent Boult caught him on his own bowling. The Rotorua-based speedster Boult sealed the match figures of five for 21 while bowling ten overs in one go. Eventually, the Black Caps‘ bowlers strangulated India at 92 in 30.5 overs.
Well, hosts chased down the target with eight wickets in hand in 14.4 overs.
Future holds good for Gill: Gavaskar
Gill got a testing condition to prove his mettle. But Gavaskar had praised his positive approach when the ball was doing a bit, and Boult ruled the roost. He admitted Gill has couped a blow on his head, but he has been equally resolute to play the ball according to its merit.
Owing to his wealth of experience, while dissecting the penultimate ODI, the 69-year-old Mumbaikar Gavaskar maintained Gill has a promising future ahead. He reiterated the management had instilled faith in him and he has enough potential to pay the rich dividends.
Gavaskar also asserted the youngsters had shown a lot of promise over the years. According to him, it’s a good sign for Team India.
“Even then, when Boult was swinging the ball, he was able to get in line, yes… he was hit by the short ball as well. I think this guy’s got a future, you have got to be patient with him,” Gavaskar added.
Gavaskar predicts about Wellington ODI:
During the post-match show, Gavaskar stated MS Dhoni could make a return following a sore back.
However, without digging too much into the chopping and changing, Gavaskar is hopeful to see Gill in the fifth ODI.
“My feeling is that they’ll probably have Dhoni coming in place of Karthik. Other changes will be based on the conditions in Wellington. I don’t see too many changes though. I am sure Shubman Gill will get another opportunity,” Gavaskar said.
The fifth ODI will kick off at 7:30 AM IST on February 3 (Sunday). India has already taken an unassailable lead of 3-1.