News
Shubman Gill’s Success Unexpected, KL Rahul Is India’s Best Test Batter: Owais Shah
Follow Us"Shubman Gill has done really well. I wasn't expecting it. I did not think he had it in him to do what he's done so far," said the former England batter
Now that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from Test cricket, former England cricketer Owais Shah believes KL Rahul is currently India’s best batter and could even outscore Indian captain Shubman Gill in the next 10-15 Tests.
Gill is currently the leading run-scorer in the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England, having amassed 607 runs at an average of 101.17. However, Rahul has also been highly effective at the top of the order. The 33-year-old has scored 375 runs across three Tests at an average of 62.50, including two centuries and a fifty.
"I think he's been in the shadow of Kohli. With Kohli at the crease, he was always going to be your main batsman, and Rahul was under the radar. But this is his time to flourish,” Shah said on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, as reported by TOI.
“This is the first series without Virat Kohli. Look at the batting order - yes, Shubman Gill has done really well. I wasn't expecting it. I did not think he had it in him to do what he's done so far.
"But I still feel KL Rahul is the best batsman in the batting line-up - someone you should be able to rely on. And it is time for him to deliver the sort of numbers his technique and temperament promise. I feel KL, over 10–15 matches, may just outscore Shubman Gill. I think we will see him really come about in the next 12 months.”
Despite Gill and Rahul performing exceptionally well with the bat, India are currently trailing 2-1 in the five-match series. The fourth Test will be played in Manchester, starting on July 23.