'You will not be able to stop such a player for a long time' - Mohammad Kaif lavishes praises on Shubman Gill

Team India dominated Bangladesh in the opening Test of the series, defeating the hosts by a margin of 188 runs in Chattogram. As the visitors set a daunting 513-run target in the first Test, India cleaned up Bangladesh's batting unit on 324 in the second innings. The home team did put up a respectable fightback by batting through the entirety of the fourth day, but ultimately failed.

On the other hand, India put up a strong performance with both the bat and the ball. Cheteshwar Pujara scored 90 and 102* runs in the two innings, but it was Shubman Gill who grabbed the spotlight with his maiden Test century. In the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, Gill got the opportunity to open for India and he scored an impressive 110, helping India get into a dominating position.

His ton did not go in vain as India won the first game by a massive 188-run margin. Former India cricket Mohammad Kaif lavished praises on the youngster and said that it would be difficult to keep Gill out of India’s playing combination if he continues to produce such knocks.

“It is a tough call because of the template they are following in Test cricket. They are playing with five bowlers. You could have adjusted him if you were playing four bowlers. It will be difficult to fit him in. He might have to wait if Rohit Sharma comes back. He has the form. If I were Shubman Gill at the moment, I will not think if my selection will happen or not, I have done my job. No one can stop him from becoming an all-format player,” Kaif said on Sony Sports Network.

Whether you have to drop KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer for that, the place will get created: Kaif

Gill was phenomenal with the bat. After being dismissed for a low score in the first innings, he went on to notch up a magnificent hundred in the next. India’s top-order batter and stand-in skipper KL Rahul could not produce good numbers in either of the two innings, but Gill rose to the occasion and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Praising the youngster, Kaif further added:

“Shubman Gill has the technique, scores runs consistently, and has the hunger. He scored in the IPL and won Gujarat Titans the title, has scored centuries in ODI and Test cricket, so his 2022 has been fantastic. You will not be able to stop such a player for a long time, whether you have to drop KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer for that, the place will get created. He is looking better and better whenever he is given the opportunity. The Test match is after three days, Rohit Sharma might not come as well.”