IND vs AUS: "Not In All Three Formats But In Two Formats"- Irfan Pathan On Shubman Gill As Team India's All-format Opener

Shubman Gill, in the opinion of Irfan Pathan, cannot currently replace Rohit Sharma or KL Rahul as India’s Test opener.

For the forthcoming four-match Test series versus Australia, Gill is a member of the Indian team. The Punjab opener has been in outstanding form recently and scored an undefeated century in India’s convincing 168-run victory against New Zealand in the series-deciding final T20I on February 1 in Ahmedabad.

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Irfan Pathan Picks KL Rahul And Rohit Sharma Over Shubman Gill As Test Openers For India

Pathan was questioned about Shubman Gill’s ability to open in all three formats during a conversation on Star Sports. He gave a negative response and explained why:

“Not in all three formats but in two formats. If you talk about Test matches, you have two openers who have scored runs in difficult conditions, scored runs in England and won matches for India there.”

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Because of Gill’s exceptional results in the shorter formats, the former Indian all-rounder believes KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma cannot be replaced in Test cricket, saying:

“KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are there, so suddenly because Shubman Gill has scored runs in the T20 format, you cannot ask them to step aside and let him play. You need the stability.”

A century was also struck by Gill in the first Test versus Bangladesh in December of last year, in addition to his recent successes in white-ball cricket. He might have to wait for his time as the opener, but in Shreyas Iyer’s absence, he might be given a spot in the middle order of the Indian XI.

You Will See Shubman Gill Alongside Rohit Sharma In The World Cup: Irfan Pathan

If Gill maintains his strong run of form, Pathan believes Gill will open alongside Rohit in the ODI World Cup later this year. Pathan says:

“I feel he has sealed his spot in T20 cricket after this century. He has done that in ODI cricket in any case. If it continues like this, you will see Shubman Gill alongside Rohit Sharma in the World Cup, there is no doubt about that.”

Following his century in the decisive match against the Kiwis, the cricketer-turned-commentator predicts the Gujarat Titans star will resume opening in T20Is as well, noting:

“Now with the confidence he will get in T20 cricket, you can assume that his place is almost assured because a transition period is going on there after the T20 World Cup. So you will see him there.”

Pathan finished by noting that, given the ease with which Gill plays both spin and pace, he is certain that Gill will become a three-format player in the future. He also anticipates that the kid will grow up to be a star.

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