Shubman Gill has received his maiden Test call-up on Thursday as the Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) announced India’s Test squad for the three-match series against the Proteas. Even after sweeping the series against the West Indies, opening batsman, KL Rahul failed to make it to the squad. The selectors decided to replace him with Shubman Gill. The youngster took to Twitter to express his views after being picked in the Test team for the very first time.
“Be it blue or white It’s always an honour to represent my country,” Gill tweeted.
Be it blue or white 🔵⚪
It's always an honour to represent my country 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/qfWMpwsMsw— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) September 12, 2019
However, India off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin also took to Twitter to congratulate him on being selected in the Test squad.
Well done @RealShubmanGill , congrats.👏👏👏 #indiantestteam
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 12, 2019
After announcing the Test squad, chief selector, MSK Prasad addressed the media that the management is looking to try limited-overs opener Rohit Sharma at the opening slot after KL Rahul’s poor show.
“We want to give Rohit Sharma an opportunity to open the innings in Tests,” MSK Prasad said.
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India are currently on top of the points table with 120 points in the Test World Championship after thrashing West Indies in the two Tests. Alongside KL Rahul, pacer Umesh Yadav has also been dropped. Rohit, however, will lead the Board President’s XI, which will take on the South Africans in a three-day tour match in Vizianagaram from September 26.
Shubman Gill’s inclusion was expected after he top-scored for India A in the tour of West Indies and was adjudged the man of the series. Even he became the youngest Indian to score a first-class double hundred during the series. His exclusion from the senior team for the tour of the West Indies last month raised many questions.
India’s squad for 3 Tests:
Virat Kohli (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (Vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Wriddhiman Saha (Wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill.
