Dinesh Karthik expressed the view that Shubman Gill needs to amass substantial runs in the upcoming second Test against South Africa to secure his position in the Test team, highlighting Gill’s struggle to replicate his white-ball success in the red-ball format.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik mentioned:
“Shubman Gill is the big question mark here. He has not lived up to the expectations that people have.”
”I think even he would be aware that if you are going to average mid-30s or early-30s after having played 20 Tests, then you would consider yourself to be a bit lucky to be around. His place will definitely be under the scanner if he doesn’t have a great Test match in the next one.”
Shubman Gill has faced challenges in the current South Africa tour, posting scores of 2 and 26 in the Boxing Day Test and managing only eight runs across two innings in the T20I series. Karthik recommended considering players like Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar, emphasizing their success in domestic cricket.
He added:
“The only middle-order name that we are missing out on is Sarfaraz Khan. I have no doubt that he will make it to the squad much sooner than he thinks right now.”
”Other than that, you do not have any other names doing the round in the middle order right now. Rajat Patidar is a very, very strong name that I think they will be looking at very soon.”
India suffered their most significant Test defeat in South Africa, losing the first Test by an innings and 32 runs. The team struggled, managing only 131 in the second innings, with Virat Kohli’s 76 being the standout contribution.
“It does not mean they would not come back in the squad” – Dinesh Karthik views on Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara
Dinesh Karthik is of the opinion that Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, excluded from India’s squad for the South Africa series, might still have an opportunity for a comeback.
Karthik suggested that should the younger players struggle in overseas conditions, the team management may be inclined to reintroduce Pujara and Rahane. He said:
“It looks like they have moved on from Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, but it does not mean they would not come back in the squad.”
“If performances are put like this, then as a coach or a captain, you are going to think, let us go back to those players who have done in those countries that we are going to be touring.”
South Africa faces a crucial situation in the upcoming second Test against India, as they must win to avoid a series defeat. The match is scheduled at Newlands in Cape Town from January 3 to 7.
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