The debate about who will open the innings for India alongside Mayank Agarwal in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide has been a hot topic ever since it was revealed that Rohit Sharma will not be part of the playing XI. Many contenders emerged with fans and pundits giving their preferences. Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw were the two names that cropped up time and again. The two warm-up games were seen by many as an audition for the opener's slot with Gill and Shaw battling it out. After seeing the two players over four innings, fans have had their say, and it doesn't make for a pleasant reading for Shaw.
On Saturday, Shaw was dismissed for 3, throwing his wicket away with another loose shot, and that proved to be the last straw for many fans, who took to Twitter to express their frustration. Others decided to have some fun and posted memes.
While both players failed to fire in the first tour game at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney. Shaw and Gill were dismissed for a duck in the first innings, and this was followed by scores of 19 and 29, respectively, in the second as the match ended in a draw.
Both these players were given another go in the ongoing second practice match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Shaw chanced his luck and scored a charmed 40 off 29 balls in the first innings.
Gill (43) scored three more runs than Shaw but looked much more assured and in control at the crease. However, in the second innings, Shaw was sent packing by Mark Steketee for only 3.
Gill, though, was in no mood to throw away his wicket and hit a fluent half-century before being dismissed for 65.
Going purely on the performances in the two tour games, Gill without doubt has stolen a march on Shaw, and emerged as fans' favourite to open the innings alongside Mayank Agarwal in the day-night Test in Adelaide, which begins on December 17.