Team India head coach Ravi Shastri was all praises for the young players Shubhman Gill and Prithvi Shaw. Both the young talents are on the selectors’ radar to play the first Test against New Zealand, starting 21st February.
Either of the two batsmen will be picked soon as the second opener with Mayank Agarwal for the series-opener in Wellington. Keeping mind the records of both the batsmen, Shaw is likely to get a nod ahead of Gill as he was a part of the recently played ODI series against the Kiwis. Shaw scored 84 runs from the 3 matches.
On the side note, both Shaw and Gill have failed to impress the team management in the on-going tour against New Zealand XI that began earlier today. Shaw opened with Mayank Agarwal and got dismissed for a duck, while Agarwal scored only a single run before departing to the dressing room. Gill came onto the crease at No. 4 and also went back to the pavilion with a golden duck. India somehow managed to put up 263 runs on the scoreboard by stumps, with Hanuma Vihari contributing 101 runs and Cheteshwar Pujara 92 runs.
In a recent conversation with Ravi Shastri, the head coach said, “Both are supremely exciting talents. Regardless of who gets into the XI in Wellington, the fact of the matter is they’re here, part of India’s national squad, and from here on they should know that the sky remains the limit.”
The former cricketer then added that they’re all from the same school, you know. They love facing the new ball, enjoy a challenge. Rohit is unfortunately out so that puts Shubman and Prithvi in contention to open with Mayank. That competition is necessary and that’s what makes a bunch of 15 looks strong and stable.
India will surely miss their hard-hitting opener Rohit Sharma who has been ruled of the series due to shoulder injury and also their pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has suffered sports hernia.
If pacer Ishant Sharma doesn’t get fit in time, Umesh Yadav will have to play along with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
Shastri said, “Around four to five of our core players are missing. Bhuvi could’ve been extremely useful in the conditions here, but never mind. That’s why I said, having options available are always in the best interests of the team.”