Former India cricketer turned commentator Dinesh Karthik feels Shubman Gill doesn’t understand what it means to be an India captain yet. Gil has been appointed as India’s new Test skipper following the retirement of Rohit Sharma. The first assignment for the 25-year-old will be the upcoming five-match Test series against England, set to begin from June 20.
Ahead of his first assignment as India’s Test skipper, Dinesh Karthik has said that the youngster doesn’t understand the enormity of his batting position and isn’t aware of the challenges that lay ahead of him. He mentioned that several strong teams have come to England and found it really hard.
“I really don’t think he has realized the enormity of what it means to be a test captain for India as of now. He’s walking into the lion’s den. Coming to England as a cricketing nation is not easy. There has been many a team with superstars who have come in and have found it really hard,” said Karthik on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
Furthermore, Karthik also stated that England’s vulnerable bowling attack could be positive signs for Gill and his team and could very well play into India’s hands.
“Luckily, for Shubman Gill, the England bowling attack is a very vulnerable. That is the only positive I see, they’re going to be put under pressure with the batting. When I say bat, I mean England batting will definitely put the Indian team under pressure, but the bowling is an area that is still a work in progress for England, and that could very well play into India’s hands,” he added.
The injury issues have piled up for England ahead of the all-important series as speedster Mark Wood has been ruled out of at least the first three Tests due to injury. Jofra Archer will also miss the opening game while Gus Atkinson is continuing to recover from a hamstring strain.
It remains to be seen how England’s fast-bowling attack fares against a young Indian batting lineup led by captain Shubman Gill, who will have the massive task of captaining the team on an overseas tour.