Team India handed Test caps to opener Shubman Gill, quick Mohammed Siraj in the Boxing Day Test against Australia and both of them proved their mettle in the team’s series-levelling victory at MCG.

Replacing an out-of-form Prithvi Shaw, Gill registered scores of 45 and 35 not out while Siraj, who came in for injured seamer Mohammad Shami, picked up 5 wickets in the match.

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Reflecting on their performances, India head coach Ravi Shastri said players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has developed fearlessness in Gill and Siraj.

“That’s the way, that’s the brand of cricket we’ve been playing for the last three or four years,” Shastri said after India’s 8-wicket win in Melbourne, as quoted by Reuters.  

“I think a lot has to do with IPL. The fact that they share dressing rooms with international players, they rub shoulders with the best, that complex factor disappears very quickly,” he added.

Shastri was elated with Siraj’s ability to bowl long spells and was particularly impressed by Gill’s flair.

“In the second innings, it’s very easy to get into a shell but he went out there and played his natural game. It was great from the team point of view,” the coach said.

Ajinkya Rahane, who led India in the absence of Virat Kohli at MCG, said the 21-year-old Gill displayed a good mix of strokeplay and patience.

“Shubman has done really well in first class career. Even in this game he showed that he can actually play shots and, at the same time, he can bat with composure.

He was also impressed by Siraj’s control and accuracy.

"It’s very difficult for a debutant to show that kind of discipline," said Rahane.

The third Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 7 to 11.

(Inputs from Reuters)