Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar has expressed confidence in Shubman Gill’s potential to become a match-winner for India in the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. Vengsarkar praised Gill’s skills and temperament, stating that he possesses the qualities required to excel at the international level.
According to Vengsarkar, Gill’s ability to play cricketing shots, even in the T20 format, demonstrates his versatility and suitability for all formats of the game. The former cricketer highlighted Gill’s adherence to the textbook shots and emphasized his status as an all-format player.
Vengsarkar also shared his thoughts on the Indian team’s preparation for the final. He emphasized the importance of acclimatizing to the English conditions, noting that the swing, length, and bounce can pose challenges for the batsmen. He expressed hope that the Indian players, who have previous experience touring England, will adapt quickly to the conditions and perform well in the final.
Regarding Rohit Sharma, Vengsarkar acknowledged that the change in format from IPL to Test cricket could present challenges. He mentioned that Sharma’s form in the IPL was not up to his usual standards but highlighted the significance of format transition rather than form itself. Additionally, Vengsarkar noted the lack of practice games or preparatory camps for the Indian batsmen leading up to the one-off Test match.
Vengsarkar’s assessment of Gill’s potential, along with his insights on acclimatizing to English conditions and the challenges of format transition, provide valuable perspectives ahead of the highly anticipated World Test Championship final.