Shubman Gill is primed to become India Test captain after Rohit Sharma's retirement.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has taken a huge dig at critics of Shubman Gill and asked them to check their own stats before pointing fingers at the young batter’s record for India in overseas Tests.
Since his debut in the red-ball format in 2020, Shubman Gill's skill has been undeniable. He showed potential for long-term success in the format by smashing a 91 at the Gabba in his second Test match.
However, it did not materialize because bowlers began to take advantage of him around the off-stump channel with the approaching delivery, as he was exposed to more conditions abroad, which has impacted his results.
Reports have been circulating that Gill will take over the format once Rohit Sharma retires. While some people have expressed support for Gill, others have voiced disapproval, citing his lackluster performance outside of India.
However, Ravi Shastri, under whom Gill made his Test debut, has backed the youngsters to do well inthe coming times.
“You people will talk, he’s not scored runs overseas. You know, that topic always comes, not scoring runs overseas. Sometimes I tell them, go and see your own record, how much have you done overseas?
Overseas, let him play, let him get a run overseas, then he’ll score runs. He’s a class player. He has a decade of cricket ahead of him for the country. And I’m sure he’ll get cracking in one of the tours, he’ll make up for all those runs he’s not got on earlier,” Shastri said on the ICC Review show.
“You groom somebody, and I would say Shubman’s looked very good. Give him the opportunity. He’s 25, 26 years of age, even give him time. There’s Rishabh as well. I think these two are the obvious ones I’m looking at because of their age and they have a decade ahead of them. So, let them learn,” said Shastri.
Both Pant and Gill have been captaining their respective Indian Premier League franchises for a while.
“They’ve got experience as captains, now, captaining their franchise, and that makes a difference. The little I’ve seen of Shubman looks very interesting. Composed, calm, he has all the qualities,” shastri signed off.