'He is a special talent' - Scott Styris wants Shubman Gill in the India squad for the second New Zealand Test

The Indian team suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss in the first Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. This was their first loss in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship after seven straight victories and comes as a big dent to the confidence of Virat Kohli and his men who came into this series with some momentum.

The worrying part was that Indian batsmen failed to reach a score of 200 in either of the two innings. In the first do, the Indian team managed just 165 runs, while in the second innings, the team managed 191 runs, taking a lead of 8 runs, only. One of the big reasons was the failure of the top order to come good in trying conditions where the ball swung in the air and seamed off the pitch.

India went in with Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw as their openers and while Agarwal managed 58 in the second innings, Shaw’s lack of footwork and the fact that he was playing international cricket after 18 months, showed in his innings of 16 and 14. His inclusion was made based on the fact that he was higher on the ladder of replacement after Rohit Sharma was ruled out injured.

Scott Styris heaps praise on Shubman Gill

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris has suggested that the Indian team must bring in young opener Shubman Gill into the team for the second Test which will be played at Christchurch, starting February 28. Styris was in conversation with Mayanti Langer and Sanjay Manjrekar on Star Sports’ post-match analysis show and suggested that the Punjab batsman might bring a change in the team’s fortunes.

“I am currently, as I have been for a year or two, flying the flag for Shubman Gill. I think he is a special talent who India is leaving out unnecessarily. I think he could be the mainstay along with Kohli for the next 10 years for this batting line-up for India. I am not sure if he feels the same way, I would get him into the side,” he was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Shubman Gill had a good run for India A in New Zealand scoring 83, 204* and 136 in two FC matches recently.

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