Shubman Gill departs cheaply after being trapped LBW in the second innings against New Zealand XI

The Men in Blue cranked up their preparations for the upcoming two ICC Test Championship Test matches against New Zealand in Wellington and Christchurch with a solid workout in their three-day practice game against New Zealand XI at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

In the end, the visitors ticked almost all the boxes with batsmen getting some runs under their belt while the fast bowlers- especially Jasprit Bumrah- got a work out in the middle. And, while most of the players would be happy with what transpired in the past three days, but one cricketer who would be hugely disappointed with his returns will be the outrageously talented and in-form Shubman Gill.

Gill, who had come into the three-day practice match on the back of the sensational form in the four-day games against New Zealand A where he racked up a double hundred, a hundred and a half-century in three innings. But the right-hander failed to emulate his feats in the practice match.

After getting bounced out in the first innings for a golden duck, the Punjab batsman could manage just 8 in the second essay when he was trapped LBW by Daryll Mitchell. Gill didn’t look particularly happy with the decision as to the impact seemed to be over the stumps.

Sadly Gill doesn't make use of the opportunity! He is trapped LBW by Mitchell for 8. India 2-82!!#ShubmanGill #INDvsNZ #NZXIvInd #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/otoDW2SnVj

— Yash Mittal 🇮🇳 (@im_yash2307) February 15, 2020

Has Prithvi Shaw pipped Shubman Gill for the second opener spot?

With Rohit Sharma out of the Test series, this practice game was seen as a shoot-out for the second opening slot between Gill and Shaw. Gill had, however, downplayed that there was a competition between the former U19 teammates.

“Obviously, our careers started at the same time but there is no fight as such,” Gill said on Thursday. He added– “Both of us have done well in our positions. It’s up to the team management, who they will play. It’s not as if there is a fight. Whoever gets the chance will try to make the most of the opportunity and not let it go waste,” 

That said, with Prithvi opening the innings in the practice game and his whirlwind knock tilted second innings favoured by Gill’s twin failures may have tilted the balance in favour of the Mumbaikar.

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