Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has heaped praises on opening batsman Shubman Gill after his breathtaking performance in India’s 188-run win against Bangladesh.
Though Cheteshwar Pujara smacked his first 100 in almost four years, and Pant and Shreyas chipped in notable contributions during the match, Gill, 23, impressed everyone the most.
Notably, it was Shubman Gill who initiated the attack on the hosts during India’s second innings en route his quickfire 110 off 152 deliveries. The knock gave Shubman his first-ever test hundred.
Mohammad Kaif feels Shreyas Iyer or Rahul might have to be dropped for Gill
The right-handed youngster had his best IPL season not long ago, and has now smashed his first 100s in ODIs and well as Test cricket.
“He has the form. If I am Shubman Gill at the moment, I’ll not think if my selection will happen or not. I have done my job. No one can stop him from becoming an all-format player”.
Mohammad Kaif thinks Gill can not be kept out of the international reckoning for long and place should be created for him even if it means axing KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer.
For the unversed, Rahul has been awful ever since his return from sports hernia operation and though Shreyas Iyer has done his bit in the chances he has got, he has a glaring weakness against short balls.
“One will not be able to stop such a player for a long time… whether you have to drop KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer for that, the place (for Gill) will get created. He is looking better and better whenever he is given the opportunity”.
Mohammad Kaif, however, understands that finding a regular slot (in tests) for Shubman Gill is a tough task to accomplish given Team India prefers to play 5 bowlers and even if one bowler or batsman is dropped, it will be to accommodate skipper Rohit Sharma back into the eleven.
“It is a tough call because of the template they (India) are following in Test cricket. They are playing with 5 bowlers”.
“Could have adjusted him if you were playing 4 bowlers. It will be difficult to fit him in. He might have to wait if Rohit Sharma comes back”, the cricketer-turned-commentator was quoted as saying on Sony Sports Network.