"He’ll be the next big thing after Virat Kohli"- Ex-IND opener lauded a three-format Indian star

 
"He’ll be the next big thing after Virat Kohli"- Ex-IND opener lauded a three-format Indian star

The first test match between India and Bangladesh is moving ahead for an excellent finish. India gave a massive 509-run target to the hosts to chase down in the fourth inning of the game, while Bangladesh is also trying hard to bat and bat for long.

Team India edged past the hosts with a 251-run lead in the first inning when they dismissed Bangladesh for just 150 runs. India didn't enforce a follow-on and batted once again in their second innings. KL Rahul (23) and Shubman Gill added 70 runs for the first wicket to give them a good start.

However, India had two centurions in their second innings. Young opener Gill brought up his maiden test century and made 110 off 152 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes, while Pujara ended his more than three-year century draught and scored his 19th test ton.

India declared their second inning at 258/2 in 61.4 overs. Although Gill is likely to miss the second test because Rohit Sharma will be back in the team, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer was delighted to see Gill get his maiden test century.

Jaffer also praised the 23-year-old and said that he will be the next big thing for India after Virat Kohli. In a discussion on ESPN Cricinfo, the former opener pointed out that Gill missed the chance to score his maiden test century earlier in his career, but it finally came.

Jaffer said, "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."

Furthermore, the former opener reckons that if given a chance to play in the middle order, the 23-year-old can also perform well because he is both good against spin and pace. Jaffer also said that if incase Rohit makes to the team for the second test, India will still persist with KL Rahul because he is the vice captain.

He said that dropping Gill after the way he has performed will be a big call, which is why India might look to drop a spinner from the team if Rohit comes into the playing XI for the second test.

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