India vs Australia: “Should have got an opportunity couple of years back” – Ajit Agarkar praises debutant Shubman Gill

India vs Australia: “Should have got an opportunity couple of years back” – Ajit Agarkar praises debutant Shubman Gill
Ajit Agarkar

Young Indian cricketer Shubman Gill debuted at the Boxing Day Test match between India and Australia in Melbourne today. The 21-year-old fearlessly batted against ace bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Now, former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar has praised Gill for his performance in the ongoing Test match.

India dominated Day 1 of the second Test under the leadership of stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane. India lost the toss but bowled out Australia for 195 runs. The bowlers shone from the side however, the dismissal of opener Mayank Agarwal for a duck was a blow to the team.

Shubnam Gill replaced Prithvi Shaw in the squad for the Boxing Day Test. After settling down the middle, the youngster attacked the Australian bowlers with a flurry of boundaries. By the end of day’s play, Gill had scored an unbeaten 28 off 38 balls with 5 fours.

Impressed by his incredible knock, former India bowler Ajit Agarkar said that the young batsman should have got an opportunity a couple of years back. “He [Shubman Gill] should have got an opportunity couple of years back. He just looks ready. You can see obviously he has got the potential,” Agarkar told Sony Sports Network.

‘He grew in confidence with every ball that he played’

Shubnam Gill
Shubman Gill

Earlier, India opener Mayank Agarwal was sent back to the pavilion for a duck by Mitchell Starc. However, Shubman Gill withstood the hostile spell of pace bowling along with Cheteshwar Pujara.

While batting on 4, Gill was dropped by Marnus Labuschagne at the third slip off a Pat Cummins delivery. Despite that, Gill didn’t freak out and recollected his confidence with a straight drive afterwards. Ajit Agarkar lauded his self-belief and stated that Gill will make it count on the second day as well.

“Couldn’t have been easy this little period but just grew in confidence with every ball that he played. Yes, got an opportunity, he has got that little bit of luck which you need at times. Hopefully, he can go on and make that count,” Agarkar said.

At stumps, India’s score was 36/1 with Gill (28) and Cheteshwar Pujara (7). The visitors’ trail by 159 runs with nine wickets in the bag.

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