India batting sensation Shubman Gill said he is elated to go back the country where his rise to stardom began as he was selected for the ODI and T20 teams for the tour of New Zealand later this month.
Gill was selected as a replacement for the suspended KL Rahul for India’s ongoing tour Down Under. He first burst onto the scene during the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2018 where he was the player of the tournament after scoring 372 runs in five games.
He was part of the India ‘A’ team that toured New Zealand last month and also had a stellar first-class season for his state Punjab, scoring 790 runs in 10 innings at an average of just under 100.
He is now set to be a part of the Indian team for white ball fixtures in New Zealand.
“It is a big advantage (to be picked for New Zealand tour). I played well there in the U-19 World Cup and now again I have got the opportunity,” Gill was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.
If the news that Shubman Gill is selected for India is true; it’s an excellent move. He is a special talent and it is prudent that he jumps the long queue of excellent young batsmen while he is in good form.
— ian bishop (@irbishi) January 12, 2019
“As I have done well there, I can say that there isn’t much adjustment needed in the technique. If I get an opportunity, I will have just need to handle the pressure that comes with playing for India. Mentally, it will be different but I am ready.”
Gill and his U19 team-mate Prithvi Shaw are seen as the future of India’s batting. While Shaw has already made an impact after his Test debut against the West Indies last year, Gill is all set to make his mark in white-ball cricket.
And given the paucity of in-form middle-order batsmen in the ODI team, Gill might end up making the cut for the 2019 World Cup in England if he performs.
“The call was unexpected but I understand the circumstances in which I have been picked. I have a set target in mind. I have done well at all levels I have played in so far and that has given me the belief that I can also excel in international cricket,” said Gill.
“At this time last year we went for the World Cup and now I have got an India call-up. Yes, last one year has been great but I would see this as a result of work put in by me ever since I started playing the game.”
