3 reasons why Shubman Gill can't afford to fail anymore in IND vs BAN 2024 Tests
The Prince of Indian Test cricket, Shubman Gill has enjoyed a successful run in ODIs and T20Is. He has already played some big knocks for India in the white-ball formats, but his Test record is not that great.
Shubman Gill is currently playing his 26th Test match against Bangladesh. He got out for a duck in the first innings, and is unbeaten on 33 in the second innings at stumps on Day 2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Gill has scored 1,525 runs in 48 innings. His average has been close to 35, while his highest score is 128. Although Gill has four centuries and six fifties to his name, here are three reasons why he cannot afford to fail anymore in the ongoing India vs Bangladesh Test series.
#1 Golden chance for Shubman Gill to score big and get in top form before New Zealand and Australia series
India have two big series lined up in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle immediately after the Bangladesh series ends. They will first host inaugural WTC champions New Zealand for a three-match series from October 16. After that, the Indian side will fly to Australia to take on the reigning world Test champions in a five-match series.
Being the number three batter, Shubman Gill will be one of the key players to India's success in those two series. Hence, it is important that he scores big in the Bangladesh series and gets the confidence that he needs to take down the Kiwi and Aussie bowlers.
He had an ordinary ODI series against Sri Lanka, followed by a couple of low scores in Duleep Trophy. Gill should target playing a long innings so that he is in best touch for the next two series.
#2 Shubman Gill has to fill in the shoes of Cheteshwar Pujara
For a long time, Cheteshwar Pujara batted at number three for India. He was known as the Wall of India's Test team in the 2010s because he knew how to soak in the pressure if the opening partnership was broken early.
In the first innings of the ongoing Test against Bangladesh, India lost their first wicket early, and then Gill departed for a duck as well. Soon after, Virat Kohli lost his wicket also as Bangladesh were all over India. Gill should try to improve his defense in the series against Bangladesh because when he is new to the pitch, it looks like he is an early candidate to lose his wicket LBW.
#3 Other batters waiting in line to take Gill's place
Although Gill has scored four centuries in his Test career so far, the selectors may have to leave him out of the team if his performances decline. The likes of Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal lost their place in the playing XI even after performing well in their respective last games.
There are players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Baba Indrajith waiting in the line as well. Hence, Gill must make the most out of the opportunity he has received and score big in his next innings.