Shubman Gill Admits Not Matching Expectations In Tests After Being Called Pujara’s Replacement

Shubman Gill, a young batting star, has been open about not living up to expectations in Test cricket and is eager to contribute for Team India in the upcoming season. In 2020, Shubman began playing red-ball cricket at the MCG as an opener against Australia. However, the previous year, he requested that the team management move him to the number three spot, which was previously occupied by Cheteshwar Pujara. Though he struggled at first with the switch, things seemed to be coming together for them during the Test series against England earlier this year, as he amassed 452 runs in 5 Tests, including two centuries.

Gill’s statement about not matching expectations

"So far, my performance in Test cricket has fallen short of my expectations. However, we have ten Test matches scheduled for this season. Hopefully, my expectations will be met when I reflect on those ten Tests”, Gill told PTI prior to the Duleep Trophy. The BCCI has chosen to promote Gill to the leadership group, therefore he will captain Team A in the Duleep Trophy. In white-ball formats, he has already been named the Indian team's vice-captain.

Given the spin-friendly conditions in India, the 24-year-old gifted hitter has stated that he has improved his defense to take on the spinners. "I put a little more effort into my defense against spinners. When playing on a moving track against spinners, you should be able to defend much more before you can play the scoring strokes, according to Gill.

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"As more Twenty20 matches are played...I won't say on flat tracks, but I believe it somewhat detracts from your defensive ability on batting-friendly grounds. That's why I concentrated on it during the England series," he said. 

Karthik talks about Shubman and Sarfaraz

In the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Shubman is expected to step into the large shoes of veteran Cheteshwar Pujara, according to a former Indian wicket keeper batsman. “In the home series that began the year, Sarfaraz Khan and Shubman Gill both performed incredibly well as hitters against England. I have a sense that when they board that plane to Australia, they will both be there and will be giving it their all. We'll be able to determine if they can take Ajinkya and Pujara's place. Large shoes to fill, but they are qualified and talented," Karthik remarked in response to a Cricbuzz query.

Gill also emphasized his developing maturity as a person and a cricketer, a point he directly connected to his time as India's captain and with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

"Regardless of whether you are the captain or not, you want to gain more self-awareness with each game or competition you participate in. You will learn more about other players thanks to the captain. The captain's relationship with the players is crucial.

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