The 20-year-old Shubman Gill has finally earned the Test call-up after his recent consistent performances. During the Test squad announcement for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa, the chief selector MSK Prasad has revealed the role of Shubman Gill in Test cricket.
On Thursday (12th September), the national selectors have announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match home Test series against South Africa. Due to consistent poor performances as a Test opener, KL Rahul has faced the dropout from the Test squad.
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Meanwhile, the youngster Shubman Gill has entered the Test squad for the first time. In late January 2019, Gill made his international debut through the ODI format. He has played two ODIs where he has scored 16 runs with an average of 8.00.
Due to the recent impressive performances for India A, Gill has earned his maiden Test call-up.
We look at Shubman Gill as an opener as well as middle-order batsman
Talking about Gill’s role in Test cricket, MSK Prasad has claimed that Gill has entered as a back-up opener as well as a back-up middle-order batsman.
Prasad said, “With regards to Shubman Gill, we look at him as an opener as well as middle-order batsman. We are looking at him as back-up for both the slots. As he keeps playing more and more, he will get his opportunities, because he is a player for all three formats.”
The Indian team management is currently busy to find out a consistent opening batsman in Test cricket. During the upcoming Test series against South Africa, the selectors are keen to test Rohit Sharma as a Test opener. The limited-overs opener hasn’t played as a Test opener yet, but many believe that he will be successful in that place.
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We definitely communicated to KL Rahul – MSK Prasad
Though KL Rahul has faced the expected dropout, the selectors are also standing beside him.
Prasad claimed, “We definitely communicated to KL. He is an exceptional talent and unfortunately his form has dipped in red-ball cricket.
“With Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay gone, we can’t keep changing both the openers in the side. Someone had to stick around. And probably with seniors, who exiting, KL got more opportunities. Unfortunately, he was not delivering consistently. He delivered in patches and that’s why we backed him because when he is on song, he is a treat to watch.”
The three-match Test series between India and South Africa will be played after their three-match T20I series, which will begin on this Sunday (15th September). The Test series will run between 2nd and 23rd October 2019. This Test series will be the part of 2019–21 ICC World Test Championship.