Shubman Gill's Test Competitor Is Ready; Check Out Who

Shubman Gill has been highly inconsistent in Test cricket (X)Shubman Gill has been highly inconsistent in Test cricket (X)

India's young batting sensation Shubman Gill has found himself in the headlines, with his form in Test cricket hanging by a thread. The promising talent, who once looked like the future of India's top order, has been struggling with consistency issues that have raised eyebrows, especially with India's extended Test season looming large.

Gill's most recent performance in the Duleep Trophy 2024 didn't offer much solace to his supporters. Leading India A, he managed to muster just 46 runs across two innings in a match that his team lost by 76 runs to India B, led by none other than Bengal's prolific batter, Abhimanyu Easwaran.

The sword of Damocles now hangs over Gill as he gears up for the crucial two-match Test series against Bangladesh, where failure could very well cost him his spot.

The Rise and Fall of Gill’s Test Form

The once-flourishing bat of Shubman Gill has seen more misses than hits lately. His numbers in recent Test matches tell a sad story. His last memorable performance came in the March 2024 series against England, where he amassed 452 runs across nine innings at an impressive average of 56.50, including two centuries and two half-centuries. But even in that series, his streak was marred by two ducks—a sign of the inconsistency that has been Gill's Achilles' heel.

The road leading up to the Bangladesh series has been anything but smooth for the talented right-hander. In the series against South Africa in December 2023-January 2024, Gill's bat went cold, scoring a paltry 74 runs in 4 innings at an average of 18.50.

Before that, he scraped together 45 runs in 3 innings against the West Indies in July 2023, averaging just 22.50—a far cry from the high standards he had set for himself.

One cannot forget his disappointing outing in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023, where he managed a meagre 31 runs across two innings. This poor showing was a significant factor in India's loss, and it further questioned Gill's place in the team.

What makes matters worse for Gill is that since the West Indies series, he has been batting at the No. 3 spot, a position where he has had more failures than successes.

As India inches closer to their Test assignments, the focus will be firmly on Gill to prove his worth. The upcoming Bangladesh series could very well be a make-or-break situation for the Punjab-born batter.

Abhimanyu Easwaran: The Dark Horse Ready to Gallop

Abhimanyu Easwaran (X)Abhimanyu Easwaran (X)

While Shubman Gill finds himself on shaky ground, one name that keeps coming up as a potential replacement is Abhimanyu Easwaran. The Bengal opener has been the quintessential 'bridesmaid, never the bride' when it comes to India's Test team.

He's been on the fringes for what seems like an eternity, consistently performing in domestic cricket but never quite breaking into the national setup.

Abhimanyu Easwaran's Stats

Easwaran's First-Class record speaks volumes about his credentials. With 7,023 runs in 95 matches at an average of 47.13, including 23 centuries and 29 fifties, Easwaran has been a rock for Bengal. His technique, temperament, and ability to grind out runs in testing conditions make him a strong contender for a Test debut.

It's not just his stats that make him a formidable candidate. Easwaran's leadership skills were on full display when he captained India B to victory over Shubman Gill's India A in the Duleep Trophy 2024 opener.

His unbeaten 157 in the second match of the tournament was a masterclass in batting patience, which further bolsters his case for selection.

Having been on the standby list for India's 2021 Test series against England and the World Test Championship 2021 final, Easwaran has been knocking on the door for quite some time. With Gill faltering, this could finally be his chance to step up to the plate.

For Shubman Gill, the Bangladesh series is his litmus test. It's not just about runs; it's about re-establishing the trust that the team management has placed in him. If he fails to deliver, Easwaran's shadow will loom larger, and the Bengal opener might finally find himself donning the Test cap that has long eluded him.

Gill will have to seize this opportunity with both hands or the Test cricket door might shut on him sooner than expected.

On the other hand, Easwaran has done everything in his power to make a case for himself. Like a predator waiting for the right moment, he's been biding his time. And now, with Gill's form faltering, that moment might just be around the corner.

The next few weeks could determine not just the immediate future of Shubman Gill, but also the rise of Abhimanyu Easwaran as India's next Test opener. The ball is in Gill's court now -whether he swings it for a six or lets it hit the stumps is entirely up to him.