Former Indian player Wasim Jaffer was happy after Shubman Gill finally smashed his maiden Test century against Bangladesh in the first Test at Chattogram on Friday, December 16. He stated that Gill is the next big thing in Indian cricket after the former India skipper Virat Kohli. However, Jaffer’s comments came as Gill hit 110 off 152 balls, including three sixes and 10 boundaries.
His stunning knock helped the team’s lead to 512, as the Indian team declared at 258/2 in their second innings. Jaffer also believes that Gill can also be in the playing XI as a middle-order batter because he is equally good against both the spin and pace. He added:
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, he said: “Well, it’s good that it came. He missed out on a couple of opportunities before but I am happy that the monkey is off his back. He’s a class player. After Virat Kohli, he’ll probably be the next big batsman that’s gonna come out of the Indian camp. He’s like a three-format player for me. Shubman Gill has played in the middle order for his state team. He’ll get used to it. As an opener, if you are slotted in the middle order, it’s not a big deal because you’re used to playing spin.”
“Rohit Sharma might make way for one of the bowlers” – Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer also shared that KL Rahul being the vice-captain will keep his place in the playing XI despite scoring only 22 and 23 against Bangladesh in the Chattogram Test. However, Rahul has scored 125 runs in three Tests this year which came at an average of 20.83, including a fifty against South Africa. The veteran feels that team management will drop a spinner in the second Test to give a chance to the regular captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the first one due to a finger injury. Jaffer explained:
“It’s an old saying that when the batters don’t perform, the bowlers get dropped. So, I am guessing one bowler less and one batsman added in. We’ll see that one spinner might be less and Rohit Sharma might make way for one of the bowlers.”
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