Published: Sep 13, 2019, 09:17 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 13, 2019, 09:17 AM (IST)
Shubman Gill, who earned his maiden India Test call up for the South Africa series, believes the India A exposure has made him ready to make the transition as an India player.
Gill was picked in the squad as the backup opener to Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal, with the Indian selectors opting to drop KL Rahul, owing to inconsistent form.
“The ‘A’ tours have helped me get ready to make the transition as an India player,” Gill told The Times of India.
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Gill scored a match winning 90 for India A against South Africa A yesterday to boost his case for selection. Ever since making his first -class debut, the 2018 U-19 World Cup star has scored 1443 at an average of 72.15 with the help of four centuries and eight fifties in 14 matches. In May earlier this year, Gill scored an unbeaten 204 against West Indies A.
The 20-year-old looking forward to joining the team.
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We have the best team. I am excited to play under Virat (Kohli) bhaiya,” he said.
The MSK Prasad-led selection panel also dropped Umesh Yadav, who was a part of the Test squad in West Indies while the rest of the squad remains the same.
Rahul’s axing was in the offing after the Karnataka batsman failed to register substantial scores in West Indies, extending his run of inconsistent form.
The chairman of selectors also highlighted that they have built a good pool of openers and whoever gets an opportunity will enjoy a long rope.
“So you know, in the pipeline, Shubman is opening and we have Priyank Panchal and Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is doing extremely well. From the available lot, we will look at giving them as many opportunities. Whoever gets an opportunity, also gets a fair run. We have alternatives and back-ups, we have created bench strength,” Prasad said.
