India vs New Zealand 1st Test: Very impressed with the way Shubman Gill is playing spinners – Irfan Pathan

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan on Thursday heaped praise on opening batsman Shubman Gill, who hit an important half-century in the ongoing first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur on Day 1.

Shubman Gill gave India a solid start with his 52 off 93 balls but got out against the run of play in the first over of the second session right after the lunch break.

Gill, who is returning to the Test side after an injury lay-off, has been impressive since making his India debut in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia last year. The stylish right-handed batsman from Punjab is averaging just over 31 in Test cricket with four fifty-plus scores so far.

“I really hope and feel that this guy will go on to have a really good career, especially in Test cricket, because I think he can be very vital, especially if we keep touring abroad. He has got outstanding backfoot game with his initial movement,” Pathan said on Star Sports.

Pathan went on to add that he was “really impressed” with Gill’s willingness to improve his technical flaws and lauded him for the way he has played against the spinners so far in his short Test career.

“He is a young guy, and he is very talented when it comes to batting. He is trying to figure how to actually correct whatever little technical flaw he has, especially against the fuller delivery.

“He is coming down the pitch against the fast bowlers, and I’m really impressed with the way he is playing against the spinners. He is playing the ball late,” Pathan added.

Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja hit half-centuries to help India reach a strong position at the end of the first day at the Green Park Stadium. Iyer and Jadeja added 113 runs for the fifth wicket as India posted 258 for 4 by stumps after electing to bat first.

Iyer and Jadeja will resume their partnership on 75 and 50, respectively, on Day 2.