Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir believes that Shubman Gill deserves to open for India along with Rohit Sharma in the upcoming Test series against England. However, at the same time, he warned Gill to keep his mind focused on the game after his dream debut Down Under.
Gill played three Tests in the series against Australia and amassed 259 runs, which included two fifties as well. One of them, an innings of 91, came in the memorable win at the Gabba that helped India to seal the series.
“See, he should be opening with Rohit Sharma, no doubt about it, but let’s not jump the gun. You just can’t put someone really high up there. Yes, he’s got the talent, but he needs to keep his head down because international cricket can be tough! Yes, you had a honeymoon start to your international career. It can’t be better than this,” Gambhir said speaking on Star Sports show GAME PLAN.
“Playing in Australia, winning this series with a young side, you’ve done really well, you batted beautifully. No doubt about it, but let’s give him time as well and let him develop on his own, rather than putting too much pressure and putting too much expectations on him,” he added.
Gambhir also mentioned that England is a pretty good side and they are coming into this series on the back of a 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka. So India will need to bring their A-game forward.
“England, coming after a successful series against Sri Lanka, it’s not going to be the same. Obviously, India’s a far better side than Sri Lanka, but then England is a quality side as well. So, India needs to be at its best, but at the same time, India will be high on confidence, especially after what they did in Australia was historic, but I am looking forward to this series,” Gambhir said.
India’s squad for first two Tests against England: Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul (subject to fitness), Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel.
