IND vs SA: India's Test captain Shubman Gill broke his silence about the absence of senior pacer Mohammed Shami ahead of the much-anticipated two-match
Test series against South Africa, starting November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
While praising Shami's contributions to Indian cricket, Gill's remarks about "planning ahead" have sparked speculation about whether the veteran seamer's Test career might be nearing its end.
Speaking to reporters, Gill admitted that replacing a bowler of Shami's calibre is no easy task but emphasized the need to build for the future. "There aren't many bowlers of Shami bhai's quality. But when you look at the performances of others - guys like Akash Deep and Prasidh - and also what Siraj and Bumrah have done for us, it becomes a tough call," he said.
"It's never easy when someone like Shami bhai has to miss out, but at the same time, we have to plan ahead," the young skipper added, hinting at India's focus on grooming the next generation of fast bowlers.
When asked about Shami's fitness and selection status, Gill remained diplomatic, saying, "As for fitness and selection matters, the selectors would be in a better position to give a clear answer on that. "
Gill also spoke about India's strong pool of all-rounders, which gives the team flexibility in both home and overseas conditions. "We're really fortunate to have the kind of quality all-rounders we do," he said. "All of them have strong batting and bowling records, especially in Indian conditions. As a captain, it's always difficult to decide who to leave out - but that's a good problem to have. It makes for an exciting Test match ahead. "
Acknowledging the strength of the visiting South African team, who are the reigning World Test Champions, Gill said India would not underestimate the challenge. "They have drawn series in Pakistan. They are the world champions in Tests. The teams who do well in Asian conditions are always tough to face. But we are ready for the challenge," he asserted.
The two-Test series promises to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched sides, with Gill leading a new-look Indian outfit eager to make a statement.
