Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has asserted that the current Indian team seems to be more of Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir’s side rather than Shubman Gill’s. Notably, his comments came ahead of the first ODI against the West Indies on Sunday, September 27, in Trivandrum.
Speaking exclusively to Cricbuzz, Karthik reckoned that the Indian captain Gill needs to put his foot down, form a strong partnership with the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and gain a lot of respect within the team.
“I feel that he has inherited this team as a captain. In fact, it has been thrust upon him; it’s like in a family, the elder son is thrust into some things. It was more of Rohit Sharma’s way when it started, but I feel this is Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir’s team more than Shubman Gill’s team up until today. We are hearing that Ajit Agarkar probably won’t be around as a selector anymore, so it almost becomes Gautam Gambhir’s team. But Shubman Gill has to put his foot down at times and form a strong partnership, and that is when he will get respect within the team,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
“I do feel it is a stage where he is a good batter, people respect him for that. He has shown a good value system as captain as well; he did well in England as a Test captain. He has done well for Gujarat Titans. Now it is his time and turn to show the same sort of courage and attitude to lead this Indian team forward,” he added.
Shifting our focus to the details of the first ODI, West Indies posted a dominating total of 295/7 in 50 overs after being tasked to bat first. Justin Greaves (101), John Campbell (62) and Amir Jangoo (58*) were the top scorers. Kuldeep Yadav was the wrecker-in-chief with a four-wicket haul.
In the chase, India finished the game in 41.4 overs with eight wickets in hand. Virat Kohli (139*) and Shubman Gill (110) were the top scorers.
