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Ravi Ashwin Explains How An 'Uncomfortable' Gill Filled Virat Kohli's Shoes

Shubman Gill replaced Virat Kohli at the short mid-wicket position [X.com]Shubman Gill replaced Virat Kohli at the short mid-wicket position [X.com]

Ravichandran Ashwin lauded the presence of rising young Indian batter Shubman Gill on the field during the five-Test series against England with a reference to legend Virat Kohli. 

The great off-spinner spoke of how Gill was initially "uncomfortable" fielding at Kohli's usual short mid-wicket position but went on to ace the role donned by the Indian giant in his absence due to paternity leave. 

Like with his batting, Gill faced initial struggles adjusting to a new fielding spot. However, the 24-year-old then overcame his blues by taking crucial chances and enjoying an overall great run, including two centuries and a 91 in the third Test in Rajkot. 

The elegant right-hander finished as the second highest run-getter of the Test series with 452 runs at an average of 56.50. 


Ashwin Lauds Gill With Virat Kohli Reference 

"Short mid-wicket is Virat Kohli’s position. It is very difficult to replace him. Virat and (Suresh) Raina. (Shubman) Gill started off there in the first test, and he looked very uncomfortable," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. 


"By the final Test, he got it (like Vijay says to Sivakarthikeyan). He also took a catch of (Ben) Duckett on covers. It shows that he wants to improve his game on a day-to-day basis, and he’s working on it."

Ashwin also heaped effusive praise on Gill for making amends with the bat after facing constant criticism leading into the Test series, stating he is bound to be the "next superstar" of Indian cricket. 

"I give extra praise to Shubman Gill because he has seen the ups and downs of the game. People discussed his position in the XI. He had a few technical issues of his own. He came past all that to become what he is today, like how gold is molten from flames and water," Ashwin said. 

Gill would be hoping to continue in this vein in Test cricket and fulfil the player everyone envisions about the Punjab batter as India head deeper into their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. 

Team India next host Bangladesh and New Zealand in October-November before travelling to Australia for a challenging five-Test series in December in their next three assignments of the cycle.