NEW DELHI: As India’s home Test season gets underway, captain Shubman Gill opened up on one of the most talked-about decisions in recent times – the exclusion of senior pacer Mohammed Shami from the squad.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Kolkata ahead of the first Test at Eden Gardens, Gill acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. He lauded Shami’s skill and consistency in domestic cricket, particularly his standout performances for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.
“Not many bowlers are of his quality. The ones who are playing have done a terrific job. It’s tough for someone like Shami bhai to miss out, but the selectors can explain that better,” he said.
Shubman Gill breaks his silence on Mohammed Shami's omission, praising his "quality" but hinting India must "plan ahead" with new talent. Is this the end of an era for Shami? 💔🇮🇳 #Cricket #TeamIndia
Gill also reflected on the challenges of balancing leadership across formats. Since the Asia Cup, he has been navigating continuous international cricket, switching between T20s, ODIs, and now red-ball cricket, often with minimal time to adjust.
“The challenge is more mental than physical. Managing travel, formats, and preparation takes focus,” he added.
Looking ahead to the South Africa Tests, Gill stressed the importance of staying sharp against the reigning World Test champions. “We know it will be tough. There will be challenging moments, but we’ve faced such situations before. These two Tests are key in our pursuit of the WTC final,” he noted.
