Shubman Gill a 'Bit Lucky' to be Around After Not Living up to Expectations

Criticism continues to fly thick and fast in the aftermath of India’s sorry show in the recent Test against South Africa that saw the two-time World Test Championship finalists suffer an ignominious innings defeat inside three days in Centurion.

It was a dull show from India, especially their pace attack which has brought them success across the globe in the past four-five years. Not that the batters fared any better with their top-order barring KL Rahul and Virat Kohli failing to show any fight.

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The performance of Shubman Gill hasn’t been up to the mark either having started his Test career on a promising note during the Australia tour of 2020-21.

Gill has played 19 Tests so far and averages just 31.06. While the youngster has stepped up his game in ODIs, he’s yet to replicate the success in Tests.

In Centurion, Gill managed 2 in the first dig and 26 in the second and India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik feels the opener will have to produce a noteworthy show in the 2nd Test otherwise there will be questions over his place in the side.

“Shubman Gill is the big question mark here,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz. “He has not lived up to the expectations that people have. I think even he would be aware that if you are going to average mid-thirties or early-thirties after having played 20 Tests (19), then you would consider yourself to be a bit lucky to be around. His place will definitely be under the scanner if he doesn’t have a great Test match in the next one.”

Karthik reckons Sarfaraz Khan, who has been consistently scoring in domestic cricket, will soon make his entry into the national team.

“The only middle-order name that we are missing out on is Sarfaraz Khan. I have no doubt that he will make it to the squad much sooner than he thinks right now. Other than that, you do not have any other names doing the round in the middle order right now. Rajat Patidar is a very, very strong name that I think they will be looking at very soon,” he said.