Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has named a youngster whom he thinks will be the next big batsman in Indian cricket after Virat Kohli. The Ranji Trophy legend touted Shubman Gill as the future and lauded him for his heroics in the first Test against Bangladesh.
“After Virat Kohli, he’ll probably be the next big batsman that’s gonna come out of the Indian camp,” Wasim Jaffer on Shubman Gill
Young Indian batter Shubman Gill has been in the headlines for his heroics with the bat since one last year. After proving his worth in white-ball, where he has been scoring consistently, one thing that many wanted him to do is to score a Test century.
While not many doubted his ability as a batter, century in the longest format was something, he too was desperate to score. But in what was a class inning, he finally achieved the feat in the second innings of the first Test against Bangladesh.
After getting out to a false shot in the first innings of the first Test against Bangladesh, Shubman Gill made sure that he makes the most of the opportunity in the second innings as he went on to score his maiden century in Test cricket.
Opening the batting, Gill showed great grit and courage as he batted sensibly and along with the solid defensive technique, he punished bad balls as well. He looked very solid as he rearily mistimed the ball.
After skipper Rahul got out, Gill took matters into his own hands as he then batted aggressively and paved his way through his fifth Test century. However, he didn’t let the milestone carry him away as he batted with a lot of concentration and smashed some staggering boundaries as well.
Gill smashed a century in just 146 balls and then perished after scoring 110 runs. Notably, this innings by him made his case strong for the opening position in the team. His tally of 110 runs is the highest individual score by an Indian opener in Tests in 2022.
Special feeling to get my maiden 💯 pic.twitter.com/FgN8qtLYba
— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) December 16, 2022
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Following Gill’s heroics, Wasim Jaffer was all praise for him as he feels that the youngster is the next big thing in Indian cricket. Calling him an all-format, he said that the youngster can be a middle-order batter as well. Speaking on ESPNCricinfo:
“Well, it’s good that it came. He missed out on a couple of opportunities before but I am happy that the monkey is off his back. He’s a class player. After Virat Kohli, he’ll probably be the next big batsman that’s gonna come out of the Indian camp. He’s like a three-format player for me.
“Shubman Gill has played in the middle order for his state team. He’ll get used to it. As an opener, if you are slotted in the middle order, it’s not a big deal because you’re used to playing spin.”
Wasim Jaffer also gives his take on who will sit when Rohit Sharma will come back for the second Test
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to be back for the second Test after missing the first Test. However, many speculations are there as who will he replace when he comes back. With Gill scorning century and Rahul being the best in this format, it remains to be seen who will make way for the skipper.
When the opportunities are few and far between that's how you make it count. Congratulations on maiden Test ton @ShubmanGill 👏🏽 #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/FV8A4uZdHW
Advertisement— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 16, 2022
Jaffer feels that Rohit will come in place of one bowler and the team will play a batter extra. He added: “It’s an old saying that when the batters don’t perform, the bowlers get dropped. So, I am guessing one bowler less and one batsman added in. We’ll see that one spinner might be less and Rohit Sharma might make way for one of the bowlers.”
The second Test between Bangladesh and India will be played on 22nd December in Dhaka.
