Ravichandran Ashwin Recalls A Hilarious Conversation With Debutant Shubman Gill In The Melbourne Test

Ravichandran Ashwin reveals how Shubman Gill left the off-spinner laughing as well as impressed by his mindset during the second Test of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar series, which India won by 2-1 margin. Shubman Gill was given his debut Test cap in Melbourne as he replaced out of form, Prithvi Shaw, who was also Gill’s under-19 India captain.

After losing the first Test in Adelaide, led by Ajinkya Rahane’s hundred the visitors had a stronghold in the second Test. Australia was bowled out for 195 in the first innings to which India replied with a total of 326. In the second essay, once again India’s bowlers choked Tim Paine’s side for runs and bowled them out for 200.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who took 12 wickets in 3 matches, including dismissing Steve Smith thrice, reveals a funny incident during Australia’s second innings where India was on top of the hosts. He says that after Cameron Green’s wicket, Gill scampered towards the spinner, and asked him to clean up the tail quickly so that he can chase whatever small target in just 5 overs.

“I am a big fan of Shubman Gill’s batting. Even in the Melbourne Test, this is an incident I wanted to share. We were bowling and the wicket got flat. We were bowling to Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and they were showing resistance,” Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“And Cameron Green was caught at square leg off a pull and Shubman came running to me and said, “Ash bhai, Jaldi khatam kar do yaar! 40-50 runs hoga toh mein paanch over mein khatam karoonga! (Please wrap up quickly. If it’s 40-50 runs to chase, I will do it in five overs!),” Ravichandran Ashwin added.

I was like, ‘wow, this is unreal man’: Ravichandran Ashwin

This left Ravichandran Ashwin stumped at the winnings mindset and the fearlessness of Gill, who had to open on his debut against the Aussie quicks.  Nonetheless, Shubman Gill’s performance in Australia has sealed his spot for the Test series against England later in the year.

The right-hander scored 259 runs in 3 matches at an average of 51.80, including a brilliant 91 at the Gabba. Gill looked like at home while facing the fast bowlers. The 21-year-old was solid, calm, and didn’t hesitate to take on the short balls. He is set to open with Rohit Sharma against Joe Root’s side in the Test series commencing from 5th February.

“I was like, ‘wow, this is unreal man’. We have a debutant who is walking up to say ‘khatam karo, finish it’ and I will finish in five overs and that too in a Test match,” Ravichandran Ashwin laughed.

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