Shubman Gill labelled 'Lazy' as ex-England star drops blunt verdict on BCCI’s big move

Former England National Cricket Team player Monty Panesar, who featured in 50 Tests, 26 ODIs, and 1 T20I, has shared his blunt verdict on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) choosing Shubman Gill as the new Test captain.

Monty Panesar said that Shubman Gill is the type of player who gets lazy at times, and the additional captaincy responsibility will only make him a better batter.

Also Read: "If he’s serious...": Shreyas Iyer's flawed technique exposed as Test snub fully justified

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Shubman Gill's first challenge - the England tour

Gill's first red-ball series at the helm will be against the Ben Stokes-led England National Cricket Team in their own backyard. It will be a very tough challenge for the new skipper as India have not won a Test series in England since 2007.

With nearly two decades without a series win on English soil and a young squad, Gill will have to bring out his very best to give his team a chance to create history.

The Test series opener between India and England will be played at Headingley, Leeds, from June 20, and the second Test will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from July 2–6. The third Test will be played at Lord’s, London, from July 10–14, and Old Trafford, Manchester, will host the fourth Test from July 23–27, before the fifth Test at The Oval (Kia Oval), London, from July 31 to August 4.

In his 32-match Test series, Gill has played the most (10) matches against Team England and has scored 592 runs at an average of 37.00, to go with 2 tons and 3 fifties. In England, he has played 3 Test matches and scored just 88 runs at an average of 14.66, with his best score being 28.

I reckon he'll switch on, and we'll see a better version of Gill - Monty Panesar

In an interaction with the Hindustan Times, Monty Panesar was asked about his opinion on the BCCI appointing Shubman Gill as the Test captain.

He responded by saying that Gill would benefit from the additional burden on his shoulders and that a better version of him would emerge on the England tour. He said:

"I think they had to go with Shubman Gill. It will make him a better leader, I think he will bat better under some responsibility.

"Sometimes he gets a bit lazy with his footwork, once he gets to 30 or 40, but when he's responsible, he's captain. I reckon he'll switch on, and we'll see a better version of Shubman Gill."

India have got these fearless young cricketers - Monty Panesar

Monty Panesar was further asked who between Shubman Gill and Karun Nair will bat at the No.4 position in the India Test XI. He replied that the batting position won't matter that much as Gill and Nair are likely to be slotted at No.3 and No.4, and overall India have got a strong batting line-up.

The former England spinner added that India have got 'fearless young cricketers coming through' and predicted that a new superstar will emerge on the England tour.

"It doesn't matter if it's either Karun Nair or Shubman Gill. It'll be either three or four. Karun Nair has played at Northampton. He's done very well. He's done well, obviously, on the Lions trip. You can see the players that they've picked have actually played county cricket. If he goes four or three, it doesn't matter. It's up to Shubman Gill. But that's a strong batting line-up.

"India have got these fearless young cricketers coming through. I think another superstar is going to be born in the next five Test matches for India."