Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar to replace Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul in Australia, New Zealand
India tour of Australia and New Zealand: U-19 World Cup winner Shubman Gill has earned his maiden senior national team call-up after some impressive performances in the domestic circuit. The 19-year-old will join the India team for the limited-over series in New Zealand, starting January 23.
In Short
- Shubman Gill was a key member of India's Under-19 World Cup-winning team last year
- Vijay Shankar, an all-rounder, made his India debut in 2018 and has played 5 T20Is
- Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were suspended and asked to return home after the Koffee with Karan controversy
Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar have been named replacements for Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for the remainder of the ODI series in Australia and the limited-over series in New Zealand. Pandya and Rahul were suspended and ordered to return home after their controversial comments on TV show Koffee with Karan.
Vijay Shankar, who made his T20I debut in March 2018, will join the India squad ahead of the second ODI against Australia, starting January 15 in Adelaide. Meanwhile, Gill, who has earned a senior national team call-up for the first time, will join the team only during the New Zealand tour, consisting of five ODIs and three T20Is from January 23.
Gill was a key member of India's Under-19 World Cup-winning team last year. He has had a good initiation in domestic cricket. The Punjab batsman had an outstanding Ranji Trophy season as he amassed 790 runs, including two hundreds, in 10 innings at 98.75. He was also part of India A squad that toured New Zealand last year.
Vijay Shankar has already played international cricket five T20Is and is considered a handy all-rounder, much like Pandya. He proved his prowess with the bat, finishing on top of the batting charts during the one-day series with India A in New Zealand.
Hardik and Rahul were slammed for their sexist remarks on Koffee with Karan and will head home. The Indian team management wanted the players to stay back in Australia to avoid any backlash at home but the BCCI insured the players return to India.
On Saturday, India lost the first ODI to Australia by 34 runs despite a heroic hundred by Rohit Sharma. MS Dhoni made 51 but the other batsmen failed to contribute as India fell short of their 289-run target.
This defeat comes in the backdrop of Pandya's startling statements on the TV show. Harbhajan Singh lashed out at Pandya for his comments and said he would not want to travel on the same team his with Pandya and KL Rahul.
On Saturday, Sunil Gavaskar said he supported the Indian cricket board's decision to recall the players home.
Meanwhile, there was more trouble for Pandya who has lost an endorsement deal with Gillette after his Koffee with Karan row.
Also Read | Hardik Pandya's father defends under-fire cricketer: Comments were made in light-hearted manner
Also Read | Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul controversy won't affect Indian dressing room: Sunil Gavaskar
Also Read | Suspended Hardik, Rahul shouldn't enjoy the perks of travelling with Team India: Gavaskar