Former India’s Test specialist VVS Laxman was in all praise for Shubman Gill after he scored an impressive half-century on the second day in the ongoing Sydney Test. He reckons that the opening batsman has a bright future for India across all the formats.
Shubman Gill, who has replaced Prithvi Shaw in the playing XI, is only playing the second Test match but in both the Tests, he had a different opening partner. However, Gill has been consistent against a frightful Australian bowling line up, which has Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
After missing the half-century in his debut Test match, the 21-year-old brought up the maiden Test fifty (50 off 101) in Sydney while opening with Rohit Sharma. His fluent half-century helped India to end the day two on 96 runs after Australia was all out for 338 runs in their first innings.
Shubman Gill look very assured at the pitch: VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman heaped praise on Shubman Gill’s batting prowess. He lauded the way Gill executed defensive shots while not hurrying to play any risky shot. The former Indian cricketer was so impressed with the opener that he marked him as the future of Indian cricket.
“For someone playing only his 2nd test match, @RealShubmanGill looks very assured at the wicket. Good solid defense, positive stroke play, and clarity of thought. Definitely has a very bright future for India in all the 3 formats,” VVS Laxman Tweeted.
For someone playing only his 2nd test match @RealShubmanGill looks very assured at the wicket. Good solid defence, positive stroke play and clarity of thought. Definitely has a very bright future for India in all the 3 formats. #AUSvsIND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 8, 2021
Shubman Gill during the final session of Day 2, became the 4th youngest Indian opener to score a fifty outside Asia. Preceding him in this list are Ravi Shastri (vs England, 1982), Madhav Apte (vs WI, 1952/53), Prithvi Shaw (vs NZ, 2019/20).
Further, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, who is also playing the first Test of the four-match series, stitched India’s first fifty-plus opening stand away from home after 16 innings.