Former India head coach Ravi Shastri feels Shubman Gill‘s omission from the T20 World Cup squad must’ve been a tough pill to swallow for the youngster, but added that the early setback will only give him the motivation to get better. Gill did not find a place in the 15-man squad which was announced on April 30. He, however, will travel with the squad as one of the four back up players for the event kicking off on June 2.
The BCCI selection committee, led by former India pacer Ajit Agarkar, snubbed Gill amid his slow start to the IPL season. The selectors instead picked Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad.
On Friday, Gill regain his magical touch, scoring a match-winning century against CSK at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Gill, who scored 104 off just 55 balls, put on a record opening stand with Sai Sudharsan, who all smashed 103 off just 51 balls.
While on commentary, Shastri suggsted Gill would walk into any team of the world but in India he could not find a place for the T20 World Cup.
“He (Gill) would be hurting. He should be hurting. He should look at it positively and try to get better. A player of his calibre would walk into any side, but such is the talent in India that he doesn’t get a place,” Shastri was heard as saying on commentary when Gill was batting.
“His class will continue to grow. He might not be in the World Cup side but he will take it in his stride. That will help him become a better player. He’ll go from strength to strength,” the former India head coach added.
Against CSK, Gill made his intentions clear from the opening over by square-driving and lofting Mitchell Santer for four and six respectively in the opening over.
He got his fifty in just 25 balls by heaving Simarjeet Singh for a six. He then got to his hundred off 50 balls with a four past square leg off.
For the unversed, Gill is making his captaincy debut in IPL after Hardik Pandya‘s departure to Mumbai Indians.
(With IANS Inputs)
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