Shubman Gill Has To Bide His Time To Open For India - Scott Styris

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes Shubman Gill will have to bide his time before being considered as an Indian opener on a regular basis. 

Gill displayed tremendous batting performance in India’s ODI series against West Indies and Zimbabwe. Gill scored 450 runs in six innings at an average of 112.50 with three fifties and a hundred on both the tours. 

During the third ODI against the West Indies in Trinidad, Gill was struck on 98 and missed his maiden ODI hundred in the final game as rain showers cut short India’s innings. 

Shubman Gill as India’s future opening batter in ODIs?

Gill smashed an unbeaten 82 in the first match against Zimbabwe after retaining his opening slot with Shikhar Dhawan despite KL Rahul’s return to the Indian side.

While batting at No.4 in the final ODI match, the 22-year-old registered his maiden international hundred – 130 in 97 balls – plundering 15 boundaries and a six to take India’s total to 289/8 in the first innings. This was the highest individual score by an Indian batter in Zimbabwe.

Shubman Gill has got a huge future in front of him for this Indian side: Scott Styris

Many experts like Deep Dasgupta believe that the Punjab batter is being groomed as a backup opener for India’s 2023 World Cup at home. 

When Styris was asked whether Gill could become India’s next opening batter, the former Black Caps player said the youngster will have to bide his time for the big role. 

“That is such a tough question and the reason I say that is because you’ve got four or five players who could all open up and do a terrific job,” Styris said on Sports18. 

“I think he’s got a huge future in front of him for this Indian side. So yes, that’s the answer. He’s putting pressure on Shikhar Dhawan. Does he go over the top of them? I still think they love that left-handed option. 

“There aren’t too many top-order left-handers who are taking the game by the scruff of the neck in Indian cricket as an opener and therefore Shikhar Dhawan has that going in his favour so maybe Shubman Gill has to bide his time a little bit or as we saw number 3 might be a spot for him.” Styris concluded.

India will play their next ODI series against South Africa with three matches scheduled to play in October just after the T20I series between the two teams. 

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