Cricket News: Ganguly names 'permanent player' for WTC final

When Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid get down to choose the India XI for the WTC final against Australia on June 7 at The Oval, England, Shubman Gill, according to former India captain Sourav Ganguly, will be one of the first names checked.

Due to KL Rahul's recent dismal performance, India's opening pair was under criticism going forward. The biggest unknown was Rohit Sharma's partner in the longest format.

But Shubman Gill appears to have eliminated all the uncertainties, at least for now. Rahul was replaced by Gill due to his out-of-form run over the course of first two Test against Australia.

Thereafter, the 23-year-old was given a chance in the 3rd Test held in Indore. However, the right-handed Batsman was unable to get going but did gave a glimpse of playing a big innings.

Thus, Gill was picked again in the 4th Test only to score a terrific century in Ahmedabad.

Gill was consistently considered to be the future leader. He has actually been given a run as the Test opener before.

In Australia, when Prithvi Shaw's technical shortcomings were exposed and Rahul lost his form, Gill was given the opportunity to make his debut and did well. Gill got off to a good start in the matches that followed the Australia tour, but he was unable to generate the huge scores.

Due to Gill's injury, Rahul once more received a spot in England, which he seized with both hands. For more than a year, Gill had to wait to get back into the Test team. He has gotten off to a great start this time.

Not to forget, in between his poor record in Test cricket, Gill has enjoyed a phenomenal run in limited-overs cricket, slamming century in both ODIs and T20Is.

Sourav Ganguly, a former India captain, responded to the question of Gill's future by saying that the 23-year-old player is a "permanent player" in the Indian team and will be one of the first names picked when Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid sit down to choose the India XI for the WTC final against Australia on June 7 at The Oval in England.

"Firstly, congratulations to India for beating Australia. India have won in Australia, and they have won in England so there is no reason why they can't win it again (In the WTC final). Bat well, score 350-400, and you'll be in a position to win. Yeah (I see Shubman Gill retaining his place in the side). He has been brilliant in the last six-seven months. What else does he need to do? He's a permanent player now,"

Ganguly told Rev Sports.

The best spinners in India, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who were recognised as joint Players of the Series for their exceptional performances with both the bat and the ball in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India won 2-1, received nothing but praise from the former BCCI president.

"Ashwin and Jadeja have been very good. You also have to speak about Axar Patel. He quietly does a good job lower down the order with the bat. Whenever he gets to bowl, he bowls well. That's India's strength, having Jadeja, Ashwin and Axar. I know you can't play all three away but there is tremendous potential there,"

Ganguly added.

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