Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir opened up on India’s opening partnership and backed the young Prithvi Shaw to be a strong contender for next year’s T20 World Cup.
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Speaking on Star Sports show ‘Match Point’, Gambhir said that if the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are no longer in the running for the shortest format of the game, Shaw could find a spot. For the ongoing New Zealand T20I series, Shubman Gill got a nod ahead of Shaw.
Gambhir was asked about his thoughts on why Shaw hasn’t found a place in the T20 format. Talking about the young Mumbai batters chances, Gambhir said, “Surprised again. I feel you have got to give him an opportunity. You have to give him a longer rope, especially in the T20 format. I see him opening the batting in 2024 if the selectors have started to look beyond Virat and Rohit.”
Gambhir picks Shaw ahead of Gill
At the start of the New Zealand series, skipper Rohit had said the team management was going to back Gill. Gill has been in stellar form at the top of the line-up. Though Gambhir backed Gill, the former Indian cricketer said Shaw was better suited for the shortest form of the game.
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“Yes, Shubman Gill has done really well in the 50-over format, but if there is one player in this squad for whom T20 comes very naturally, it’s Prithvi Shaw and that’s his game,” said Gambhir.
Talking about India’s opening combination for the T20, Gambhir backed Shaw to pair up with Ishan Kishan. “You have to persist with Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan. Those guys can actually go out there and play with the template that we have spoken about for such a long time,” said Gambhir.
Coming to the Indian team, the Men in Blue are currently hosting New Zealand in a three-match T20I series. The two sides will face off in the series decider at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday (Feb 1).
