Harbhajan Singh Backs Shubman Gill To Open For India In New Zealand Test Series

Former Indian bowler turned commentator Harbhajan Singh has thrown his weight behind Shubman Gill as he feels the youngster should open India’s innings alongside Mayank Agarwal in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.

After blanking the hosts 5-0 in the T20I series, India recently succumbed to 0-3 defeat in the ODI series, and attention now shifts to the Test series, after which their New Zealand tour comes to a close.

With Rohit Sharma sidelined with a hamstring issue, and in-form batsman KL Rahul not named in the 15 man squad, India will most likely have to experiment with their opening partnership.

Harbhajan feels Virat Kohli-led side should hand an opportunity to Gill, as he is currently playing might well.

Harbhajan Singh backs Shubman Gill to open India’s innings in New Zealand Test series:

In the first unofficial Test match against New Zealand A, Gill scored 83 and 204 runs as he played in the middle order for India A.

In the next game, he slammed a century while opening the innings, and the 20-year-old’s blistering form means he should be given an opportunity as per the former Indian spinner.

“Shubman should get his chance since he has been part of the team (as reserve opener) for quite a while without playing any Test match,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by PTI.

The 39-year-old also added that despite Agarwal’s recent struggled, he should continue to open for India in the Test series as well.

Agarwal recorded three low scores in the ODI series and was dismissed twice without scoring any runs in the practice game against New Zealand A.

However, Harbhajan has nonetheless lent his support to the right-handed opener.

“Mayank is a proven player in Test cricket and a top batsman. He understands his game very well. Just because of three ODI innings and a practice game, you don’t drop him. It doesn’t work like that. He has been scoring lots of runs wherever he is playing, so I feel Mayank and Shubman should start in first Test,” he said.

India and New Zealand will play a three-day practise match before the first Test gets underway on February 21st in Wellington.

Similarly, the second Test match will be played from February 29 onwards at Christchurch.