Former India player turned veteran commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded Shubman Gill for making a stunning comeback to Test cricket after his form in red-ball cricket went off track. However, Manjrekar added that the youngster’s Test returns in recent times show his hunger
to succeed in the longer format as well. However, Gill notched up his fifth Test ton on Day 3 of the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai as well. He hit an unbeaten 119 off 176 balls in India’s second innings, adding 167 runs for the fourth wicket with Rishabh Pant (109 off 128).

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said, “His Test career went off the rails slightly. He started very well against Australia in Australia – got a 90. After that, he had a few opportunities against not so great oppositions in India and didn’t quite cash in, didn’t get the big scores and then had the tough tours. South Africa is never easy and then came to India and failed in that Hyderabad Test.”

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“It was like do or die, that Test match in Vizag. And that’s where Shubman Gill showed a facet of his, which I will continue to remind myself of. The way he played in that innings and after that innings, not just the runs that he got, but the application that he showed, his hunger to make a name in Test cricket,” the veteran also added.

Following centuries from Gill and Pant, India declared their second innings in Chepauk at 287-4 after 64 overs on Day 3. Chasing 515, Bangladesh were 158-4 at stumps as well and they eventually won the game on Day 4 morning where R Ashwin made headlines with a six-wicket haul.