Cricket

WTC Final – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will face a lot of difficulties: Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has backed Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to open the innings in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.

However, he feels both the Indian openers will face a lot of difficulties while facing the New Zealand fast bowlers.

Trent Boult can get the ball to move back into the right-handers whereas Tim Southee will get the ball to move away from them. Thus, there will be a good variety in New Zealand’s bowling attack and the Indian openers will have a task of negating the first 20 overs against a quality bowling unit.

Rohit Sharma hasn’t quite delivered the goods while playing in the overseas conditions as a Test batsman but he has all the experience under his belt. Furthermore, he had scored 648 runs in the 2019 World Cup in England and had finished as the leading run-getter. But there is no doubt that the red-ball format brings a different challenge altogether.

On the other hand, Shubman Gill will be playing in the English conditions for the first time in his young Test career. Gill had scored 259 runs in three Test matches against Australia but failed to get going against England in home conditions as he could only amass 119 runs in four Test matches.

Furthermore, he wasn’t at his best in IPL 2021 while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the right-hander looks in good form as he scored a fine knock of 85 runs in India’s intra-squad match at Southampton.

Irfan Pathan said while talking to Star Sports, “I will definitely back Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, but they will have a lot of difficulties because of the bowling in front of them; one gets the ball in, and the other takes it away. Both of them will try to pitch the ball up, and there the two openers have to manage.”

“We are talking about Shubman Gill that his performance in the IPL was not that good, but that is a different format. He started off very well in the red-ball format in Australia. You don’t forget that so soon, and you go according to the format.”

The WTC final will take place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

“Never expected a very easy run” – Gautam Gambhir reflects on his tenure as coach after IND vs NZ 2024 Test series defeat

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that he never expected a very easy run… Read More

October 31, 2024

Probably has a lot to do with playing on flat wickets in T20 – Gautam Gambhir on decline of good defensive technique in Test cricket

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir feels T20 cricket has led to the downfall of a… Read More

October 31, 2024

India needs Mumbai Test win before Australia tour – Gautam Gambhir

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir feels the Rohit Sharma-led team desperately needs to win the… Read More

October 31, 2024

I cannot say just the batters have let us down – Gautam Gambhir feels everyone should take responsibility for series loss against New Zealand

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to blame the batters after the team’s 2-0 series… Read More

October 31, 2024

It was insane – Bronny James after scoring his first NBA bucket

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James was on cloud nine after he managed to score… Read More

October 31, 2024

I’m happy with my team’s performance: Mohun Bagan SG head coach Jose Molina after win against Hyderabad FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina was delighted with the team’s performance after… Read More

October 31, 2024