Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody has heaped praise on India’s young opening batsman Shubman Gill – who made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Gill replaced struggling Prithvi Shaw in India’s playing XI for the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test and the youngster managed to impress many with his attitude and performance against Australia.
The 21-year-old managed 45 off 65 balls in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 35 in the second innings as the Punjab lad and stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane took India over the line to win the Boxing Day Test by 8 wickets at the MCG and leveled the four-Test series against Australia.
Following his impressive debut, Moody was impressed with the young right-hander’s approach and attitude while taking the world-class Aussie pace attack in his debut Test match, saying he looked very much and comfortable at the crease and played like an experienced international cricketer at the MCG.
The Aussie further went on to make an interesting observation that Gill has got a Rahane-like understated approach and the way he started his Test career, he made himself a serious contender to challenge others in the team for a place.
Moody said on ESPNCricinfo: “Shubman Gill has got a Rahane-like understated approach in a way. He doesn’t look flustered and certainly, he didn’t look like he was playing his first Test match.”
He further added, “This is the beginning of his international career; he looked very much at ease and comfortable in that environment as if he’s been there a year or two already. It’s only going to look up for him, there’s no question about it.”
The Aussie was particularly impressed with Gill the way he aced the role and even Australia’s fast-bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood couldn’t deter him and revealed that he was playing his maiden Test match in Melbourne.
Moody signed off by saying, “Certainly, to cut your teeth as an opener in the early parts of your career is certainly only going to do him good than anything else even if he does end up and three or four, time will tell you that.”
