IND vs NZ 2021: Cheteshwar Pujara Hints At Shubman Gill's Place In Indian Team, Says Won't Reveal His Batting Position

Shubman Gill had a great debut series against Australia in Down Under earlier this year, he slammed 259 runs from six innings at an average of 51.80 during that tour.

He missed the away Test series in England owing to a shin injury and that allowed KL Rahul to pair with Rohit Sharma in the opening slot.

Shubman Gill back for New Zealand Test series

Gill has returned to India’s Test squad for a two-match Test series against New Zealand. Not only Gill but also Karnataka batter Mayank Agarwal, who was also injured just before the England Test series, is back in the squad.

Shubman Gill is a talented player: Cheteshwar Pujara

The conundrum for Indian selectors is who should they open with the options of Gill, Rahul and Mayank available to them.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who is India’s vice-captain for the first Test, said that Gill will definitely be part of the team but refused to reveal his batting position.

“Can’t reveal that at this stage. But see, he is a talented player and definitely he will be part of the team. So someone like him, you know he doesn’t need to worry too much, he has been playing good cricket for a couple of years since he has made his debut. It was unfortunate that he missed out on England, but he is a talented player, and I don’t think personally I will need to tell him much,” Pujara said in a virtual press conference.

“Rahul bhai is there, he will give the best guidance. So I think he will just have to play his natural game. I can’t reveal the position he will bat at, but he is well prepared and I am sure he is looking forward to this series,” he added.

The first Test between India and New Zealand will be played at the Greenpark stadium in Kanpur.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: Shubman Gill Batting In Middle-Order Will Help India, Opines Jatin Paranjape