Shubman Gill received his maiden Test call-up on Thursday as the Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) announced the squad for South Africa Test series on Thursday.
Opening batsman KL Rahul, who has been struggling to score runs in the 5-day format, was dropped from the Indian side which whitewashed the Windies on the Caribbean tour. The selectors decided to replace the 27-year-old batsman with young Gill.
The 20-year-old took to Twitter to express his views after being selected in the Test squad for the first time. “Be it blue or white It’s always an honour to represent my country,” Gill tweeted.
Be it blue or white 🔵⚪
It's always an honour to represent my country 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/qfWMpwsMsw— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) September 12, 2019
Gill’s inclusion in the senior team was on expected lines after he top-scored for India ‘A’ in the tour of West Indies and was adjudged man of the series. He became the youngest Indian to score a first-class double hundred during the series.
Team India off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin also took to Twitter to congratulate Gill on being selected in the Test team.
Well done @RealShubmanGill , congrats.👏👏👏 #indiantestteam
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 12, 2019