"Cheteshwar Pujara Waiting...": Ravi Shastri's No Nonsense Advice To Misfiring Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has struggled to score runs ever since his recovery from dengue during the World Cup.
Young India batter Shubman Gill's recent form has proven to be a concern for the Indian team, especially in Tests. After managing just 23 runs in the first Test against England, Gill showed some intent before falling to James Anderson on 34. Gill has struggled to score runs ever since his recovery from dengue during the World Cup. His demotion to no. 3 in Tests, following Yashasvi Jaiswal's emergence as a reliable Test opener, also seems to be a work in progress.
For more than a decade, Cheteshwar Pujara cemented his place in the Indian Test team, piling centuries and playing long innings at no. 3.
However, the veteran batter was ignored by the management after a string of low scores.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has served a timely reminder to Gill and the other Indian youngsters, saying that "Pujara is waiting" for a comeback.
"It's a fresh side, a young side. These youngsters have to prove themselves. Don't forget, Pujara is waiting. He is grinding it out at the Ranji Trophy and is always in the radar," Shastri said on-air.
Shastri was also critical of Gill's technique after his dismissal.
"It's a Test match; you've got to stay out there. Otherwise, you'll get into all sorts of problems. You're going with those hard hands, reaching out at the ball. Especially with someone of Anderson's class," he added.
Meanwhile, Pujara, who last played a Test for India during the World Test Championship final last year, has been in stunning form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season.Â
The 36-year-old recently scored a double century for Saurashtra against Jharkhand, followed by scores of 49, 43, 43, 66 and 91 in subsequent innings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's blitz inflicted woes on England's bowling set-up on the first day of the second Test against England on Friday at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
Talking about Day 1 of the 2nd Test, India managed to put up 336/6 on the board with Jaiswal and Ravichandran Ashwin unbeaten on scores of 179* and 5* respectively.
The Vizag continued to witness Jaiswal's prowess with the bat, his maturity to hold on to his end and keep the scoreboard ticking while stitching up small yet effective partnerships.
Jaiswal's composure saw him have a fine balance between attack and defence. His 179* saw him score 17 boundaries and tonk five maximums which made England rethink their plans.
India stumbled thrice in the third session of the day with Rajat Patidar, Axar Patel and KS Bharat falling to England's spin duo of Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir.
With ANI inputs
India Cricket Team
England Cricket Team
Cheteshwar Pujara