Former Indian keeper-batter and commentator Dinesh Karthik has reckoned that the Indian team seems to be more of Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir’s side rather than Shubman Gill’s team.
Speaking exclusively on Cricbuzz, Karthik asserted that the Indian ODI and Test skipper Gill needs to put his foot down and form a strong partnership to garner respect within the team from his teammates.
“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.
Delving into the details of the first ODI, West Indies was tasked with batting first, and they posted a whopping total of 295/7 in 50 overs. Justin Greaves (101), John Campbell (62) and Amir Jangoo (58*) were the top scorers. Kuldeep Yadav racked up a four-wicket haul.
In response, India finished the proceedings in 41.4 overs with eight wickets remaining. Virat Kohli (139*) and Shubman Gill (110) were the top scorers. With this win, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.
