Harbhajan Singh picks Shubman Gill to open the innings in New Zealand Test series
Prithvi Shaw was called as a replacement for injured Rohit Sharma.
India suffered an annihilating whitewash in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand. Now, the visitors are currently gearing up for the two-match Test series against BlackCaps with a new ray of hope to bounce back stronger. And, there has been a small debate going on between the former players on which player must open the innings with Mayank Agerwal in the longer format. And, Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian spinner has given out his opinion over the same.
Rohit Sharma, the right-handed opener sustained a calf injury during the 4th T20I against Kiwis that ruled him out from the ODI as well as Test series. So, Prithvi Shaw, the young Indian opener was called as a replacement for Rohit. But the confusion is over which player will open the innings for the national team against New Zealand.
Harbhajan Singh picks his preferred opener for the Test series
On one side, Shubman Gill is in stellar form with the bat. He scored 83 and 204* in the first unofficial Test for India A against New Zealand A followed by his century in the next match as an opener. Moreover, he is the part of the Test squad that will lock horns with Kiwis in the longer format.
Meanwhile, Prithvi Shaw gave decent performances in the ODI series as well as he has proved his worth playing for his domestic team. So, both the players are giving tough competition to each other to grab opener’s spot in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
In an interview, Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian spinner said that Shubman Gill has been the part of the squad for long as a reserve opener without playing a single game. So, he should get his chance in the upcoming Test series against BlackCaps, “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 Singh said as quoted by India Today.
The 1st Test of the two-match series is slated to be held at Basin Reserve in Wellington that will begin from the 21st of February.
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