After an evenly contested limited overs series where both the teams humiliated each other in T20Is and ODIs, the focus now shifts to the all important world test championship. The battle between the 2 evenly matched sides.
It was not so long ago that the Kiwis were only behind India in the ICC test rankings at the no:2 spot but due to their dismal show in the series against Australia where they suffered a heavy beating, they have now slipped to #4 in the rankings.
Turbanator bats for Shubman Gill
The young sensation Prithvi Shaw who made his debut for India in the limited overs format in the recently concluded 3 match series, didn’t do justice to his potential and was exposed to playing balls that was coming into him. His technique looked a bit flawed which the Blackcaps made good use of.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill has been unstoppable in the first class cricket. He has been scoring acres of runs for the India A. In whatever opportunities he got so far, he has been announcing himself with more authority and reminding the team management that what a colossal talent he is.
Shubman Gill in first-class cricket on New Zealand soil:
62
83
204*
136
485 runs across 4 innings at an average of 161.67
Harbhajan Singh said that he would play Shubman Gill ahead of Prithvi Shaw in the test series against New Zealand
Shubman should get his chance since he has been part of the team (as reserve opener) for quite a while without playing any Test match
Mayank Agarwal is a proven player- Harbhajan Singh
The legendary off-spinner also commented on Mayank Agarwal when asked about who should open along with Gill. Though Mayank was all over the place in the ODI series, he has the temperament and composure to succeed in the red ball format which he has been doing for India in the longest format of the game.
Mayank is a proven player in Test cricket and a top batsman. He understands his game very well. Just because of three ODI innings and a practice game, you don’t drop him. It doesn’t work like that. He has been scoring lots of runs wherever he is playing, so I feel Mayank and Shubman should start in first Test