“There would have been a difference if Shubman Gill was there” - Ex-Indian cricketer on India’s 30-run loss vs SA

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has asserted that the Indian spinners had conceded too many singles to the South African batters in the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, as India started the series with a 30-run defeat.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said that India clearly missed out on Shubman Gill’s captaincy after the star batter got ruled out of the first Test due to a neck spasm, while batting on the second day of the Test.

"We gave them too many singles. Is it easy to score against four spinners on a turning track? Keep a mid-on, bring the point up, and ask the batters to take the challenge. The fielders were behind and 70-80% of their runs came in singles. Pant kept an in and out field with Gill not there and that also had an effect. He also took some time to understand things," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Furthermore, Kaif reckoned that Shubman Gill, as a batter and as a captain, would’ve changed the game’s complexion. Interestingly, Gill is one of the in-form batters for the Indian team at the moment in the red-ball format.

"There would have been a difference if Gill was there. He could not play both innings. If we got a better lead, say 50, 60 or 100 runs, we would put South Africa out of the game there itself. It was a miss. Not having him on the field as captain was also a miss. In the second innings he was not there in the chase. So there is definitely a direct connection as Gill is one of our best batters at the moment. He is in form as well such a player can save you in such situations," he added.

With Gill likely to miss the second and final Test in Guwahati, Pant is expected to lead the team in his absence.

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