Shubman Gill Already Looks Like An Experienced Campaigner In The International Circuit: Tom Moody

Young Indian opener Shubman Gill, via his talent and cool and calm demeanor, has left quite an impression on the cricketing folklore and pundits of the game including former Aussie cricketer Tom Moody, who has reckoned that the 21-year-old is in for a long and successful career in international cricket.

Gill, who replaced Prithvi Shaw at the top of the order in the Boxing Day Test, scored a 65-ball 45 in the first innings before staying unbeaten in the second with a counter-attacking 35 after Team India had lost two quick wickets in the form of Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara during their run-chase of 70.

Shubman Gill has got a Rahane-like understated approach in a way. He doesn’t look flustered and certainly, he didn’t look like he was playing his first Test match. This is the beginning of his international career; he looked very much at ease and comfortable in that environment as if he’s been there a year or two already. It’s only going to look up for him, there’s no question about it.” Tom Moody told ESPNCricinfo.

What impressed the cricket fans and pundits including Tom Moody was the manner in which Shubman Gill battled baptism with fire against an Australian fast bowling-unit that was at the height of its powers, especially at the start of India’s first innings in Melbourne.

Mitchell Starc bowled a fearsome first over in which he bowled at a fullish length, getting the ball to nip back in at a sharp pace. He eventually got Mayank Agarwal LBW, and one felt that a few more wickets were in the offering for the Australian pacers.

However, Shubman Gill displayed his skills as well as his steely temperament to the hilt as he endured a tough passage of play by not only showing his technical skills but also courtesy some outrageously skillfully strokes like the square-cut or the straight drive.

”Certainly, to cut your teeth as an opener in the early parts of your career is certainly only going to do him good than anything else even if he does end up and three or four, time will tell you that,” Moody said.

Also Read- Don’t Compare Shubman Gill To Anyone And Put Undue Pressure On Him: Wasim Jaffer